Pregnant as a Student or New Grad

prairiegirl · Feb 13, 2004

DH and I are getting ready to start a family. We are thinking about starting to try in December, which would mean I'd be pregnant my last semester in school, and go on maternity leave during or soon after my GN internship (3 months) was over. I have put alot into working towards this career, and I don't want to jeopardize my learning or prolong my school or internship. Would it be wise to wait until my intership was over to start trying? That would give me a year as a RN (barring pregnancy complications) before maternity leave. As experienced RN's, what is your advice on timing of pregnancy and starting a nursing career. Also, on a different note, DH and I are planning on moving out of state shortly after I graduate. I think it would be best though to stay on for a year or two at the hospital where I intern. However, that would delay buying a house and other plans we have. I welcome any input. Thanks!

Just my opinion, but I would put family before career. If I got pregnant right now while still in school, I would probably quit school and be home with my baby and go back to school later once my child was old enough to be in school. But this may not be right for you, as I intend to be a stay at home mom anyways. (so what am I doing in nursing school????) Depending on your age etc, you may want to go ahead and start trying to have a baby. Just because you start trying, you may not get pregnant for several months. I plan to start early, since I would like 4 or 5 and want to have them all before I am 35. Good luck to you whatever you do.

luzababy · Feb 13, 2004

I was pregnant in my last year of nursing school. I got pregnant in August and had my baby in May -- I planned it to the T. I had my last final on a Tuesday and had him on Saturday of the same week. It wasn't easy while in nursing school (with the stresses), but it can be done. Luckily, I didn't have any health problems. I also had the entire summer to "get back on my feet". During that time, I studied and prepared myself for the boards.

Good luck and hope everything works out for you!

Mrs.Yost · Feb 13, 2004

I too am in a similar situation. I will graduate in Augustand was hoping to start trying to conceive around that time. However, I am concerned about what people will think about a new grad starting a job and getting pregnant right away. I guess I'm concerned that it may cause problems with co-workers or boss if I start a GN job in August/September and announce I am pregnant soon after that.

What do you guys think? Will I have a difficult time finding a job pregnant? Will I have problems with co-workers or the boss if I get pregnant soon after starting a new job?

All opinions are welcome..

frann · Feb 13, 2004

I think you ought to think twice about this. Kids are forever. Are you less than 35? We started a family shortly after I graduated NS. I had only been on the job 6 months-still green- :rolleyes: and then I started turning green.

I graduated in august 91. took boards in feb 92. I threw up during each of the four tests. I passed, but it wasn't easy. I had to call out a lot. Being a new grad you will probably start nights like me. This made the hyperemesis much worse. If I wasn't on nights-well it woould have been much easier.

Its a lot of stress starting anew job, did you say something about moving also? If your biological clock is not running too fast I would wait. Having kids really occupies your time. Enjoy yourself. While you still can.

Not that kids aren't wonderful.

DD just made honor roll. I have a honor roll kid!!!

DaughterofRuth · Feb 17, 2004

This is exactly the dilema DH and I are trying to work through. I'm 37 and we have dd8. I'm just now starting pre-reqs and will have to work FT as long as possible before starting nursing classes/clinicals. It will probably be 5 years before I get my ADN. We both want at least one more child but worry that if we wait until I'm a GN to start trying again to have another it will be too late for us. Due to our financial situation its not feasible for me to be a SAHM so having another child, with the related daycare expenses, means nursing will become a pipedream. Feeling in a bad place trying to make the right decision for my family

Angela

sun_chica · Feb 17, 2004

DH and I are getting ready to start a family. We are thinking about starting to try in December, which would mean I'd be pregnant my last semester in school, and go on maternity leave during or soon after my GN internship (3 months) was over. I have put alot into working towards this career, and I don't want to jeopardize my learning or prolong my school or internship. Would it be wise to wait until my intership was over to start trying? That would give me a year as a RN (barring pregnancy complications) before maternity leave. As experienced RN's, what is your advice on timing of pregnancy and starting a nursing career. Also, on a different note, DH and I are planning on moving out of state shortly after I graduate. I think it would be best though to stay on for a year or two at the hospital where I intern. However, that would delay buying a house and other plans we have. I welcome any input. Thanks!

This is just my opinion...I'm a nursing student-graduate in May-YEAH!!! I too have considered the whole children thing. Currently, I'm 23yo and plan to move back to philly w/in the year. my plan is to get min 6months-1yr exp before trying to get pregnant. I look at that I'll have 1+ yr experience before taking maternity leave. I figure, it's all new when we begin, I personnally want that experience before I take a short break & forget what I've worked so hard to learn. Hope it works out for you:)

luzababy · Feb 18, 2004

If you and your husband are both ready, then go for it. There were a couple of new grads that started working on our floor who immediatley got pregnant. One was actually hired during her first month of pregnancy.

good luck!:)

I too am in a similar situation. I will graduate in Augustand was hoping to start trying to conceive around that time. However, I am concerned about what people will think about a new grad starting a job and getting pregnant right away. I guess I'm concerned that it may cause problems with co-workers or boss if I start a GN job in August/September and announce I am pregnant soon after that.
What do you guys think? Will I have a difficult time finding a job pregnant? Will I have problems with co-workers or the boss if I get pregnant soon after starting a new job?
All opinions are welcome..

Stephanie D · Feb 18, 2004

I would definitely put off having children for awhile. One of my close friends got pregnant during nursing school and had to quit because she had such a bad case of morning sickness. I would hate to see all your hard work go down hill.