Question about being a new grad and a new mommy....

[Hooligan]

Hi Everyone! I have a question I hope someone will be able to give me some insight on...

My husband and I have been trying to conceive our first child for about 8 months or so...but no luck yet...I suspected it would not happen right away which is why we decided to go ahead and give it a try while I was still in school. Anyway, my question is this...if I should get pregnant in the next month or two (hey...I'm feeling lucky!), I would be due right around graduation or shortly thereafter. I only planned on working part time after having a baby (working weekends only) and I'm curious to know if that would be possible. I'm fairly sure I would be able to get a job working weekends only (which is what I'd want) but my concern is about orientation. As a new grad, don't you get a long orientation? Can that orientation be split over a longer period of time to accomodate a part-time employee? Or is this something that has to be completed full-time for however long it lasts? How long is the typical new grad orientation period? I'm eager to start my career as a nurse, but I'm also eager to be a mom. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

~Bean

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

I think there is no higher calling than to be a mother. You are making a great choice to only work part time and to devote your time to your family. Nursing is a wonderful career for mothers. It offers flexibility and a decent paycheck. I saw a quote from a great man once that said, "No other success can compensate for failure in the home". So best of luck in your quest for motherhood.

Now on to your questions. Usually a hospital orientation is not more than 2 weeks. After that, it is usually unit based and your nurse manager is probably the one who will have the most say-so in how long that will take. There are lots of week end only jobs out there. Some pay premium pay and others just week end differentials, so that will vary greatly. When the time comes, you will have to work out a workable orientation schedule. I have found that managers who are also mothers (especially if they still have children at home) are the most understanding when it comes to balencing motherhood and nursing. I have worked with managers who are single or have never had kids, and they don't understand that you can't just leave your sick child home with a box of cookies, a jug of milk and a remote for the cartoon channel while you come into work! It has been a LONG time since I was a new grad so I really can't tell you how long to expect, but it is not a hurdle you can not jump. Just be as flexible as you can. I worked full time and breastfed my second child for a year. So lots of things are possible.

I recently worked with a new nurse who had her baby about 4 weeks into orientation, and it worked quite well for her. Good luck, it is wise to be thinking ahead.