Pregnant during nursing school or as a new grad?

[KW8788]

Hello!

I am a current nursing student in an ABSN program and will graduate in June of 2021. I decided at 27 to make a career change and I could not be happier with my decision. I am about to turn 29 and my husband is 33 and we are eager to start a family. I have been struggling with the idea of getting pregnant during nursing school (we would start trying once I am past the 9-month window of graduation), or to wait until I am a new grad. I know the general advice is to wait at least 6 months to 1 yr out of school but I am stressed about my age and wanting to have multiple kids!!

Thank you for any advice!

[bitter_betsy, BSN]

Pick one. Trying to get a job as a new grad visibly preggo will be difficult. You may have it a little easier if they continue to do video interviews, but its still rough to graduate, have a few weeks of orientation and maybe get off of orientation to be gone for a few weeks and then come back. Regardless of the "it shouldn't matter", it does matter at least to your teammates and probably boss. Besides, the first year is hard enough without trying to figure out how to have your first baby and do all the normal life things with this tiny human that never sleeps more than 2 hours at a time and get adjusted to being a nurse. Sure you aren't 20 anymore, but you aren't 50 either. Graduate, give yourself time to get off of orientation with a couple months to actually be a practicing nurse and then start trying. By that point, you should have a year under your belt, be established on your floor and you will know how to function as a nurse (seriously - even figuring out how to do laundry can be an olympic event and you do tons of laundry with a baby). I know it isn't what you want to hear, but trying to enjoy your new baby when you haven't figured out how to be a nurse yet won't make your baby time fun. Babies are amazing, but it takes a little time to figure out how to organize your life as a mom, a wife and a nurse. Take it one step at a time. Another reason to wait is because of the residency programs. If you don't take a job until after you have the baby, it is harder to get new grad jobs when you have been out of school for a little while and aren't a new grad anymore.

Side note - pregnancy made me dumb, tired and sick. I seriously just couldn't remember anything if it wasn't written down. I never could have made it through school that way either. I was told it was pregnancy hormones - but regardless I was seriously not able to remember my own name sometimes. I also had to use my lunch break to take naps (and I was a programmer not a nurse). Finally - nausea is a thing and I couldn't even smell milk without throwing up. I couldn't imagine being a nurse and smelling some of the smells we smell.

I wish you the best no matter what you choose.

[KW8788]

Thank you so much for your reply!! It’s so helpful to hear from women with experience!