Quit great job to stay home with baby?

[Sangrita RN]

So I have been working at a job that I absolutely love. I do home visits for low income, first time moms. Lots of education and tons of time with each mom and baby (2 1/2 years). I've always wanted to work in maternal health so it is a great fit for me.

However, I am pregnant with my first child and I've always wanted to go part time or prn after I started a family. The problem is I spoke with my manager and my company does not allow part time work. So I'd have to go back full time 40 hours or not at all.

I was just wondering what you lovely ladies thought. My baby will only be a baby for so long and I want to focus him/her. I also don't want my work to suffer if I'm working full time while trying to focus on my child.

I've thought about getting another job, maybe in postpartum or lactation but it's so hard thinking of giving up this great job and I worry it might be difficult to find a job in these areas. But on the other hand I just can't get my head around the idea of working full time while someone else takes care of my baby.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts :)

[Red Kryptonite]

How is this anti family? OP isn't talking about maternity leave, she is talking about 5 yrs until her child is ready for school. And her position was previously established as full time only.

Some people see anything short of full pay for a year off after every baby as "anti-family."

[Libby1987]

I don't know where I got the 5 yrs from, I mut be combining different comments.

[Red Kryptonite]

I don't know where I got the 5 yrs from, I mut be combining different comments.

Or maybe just thinking of standard timeline until kindergarten....that's what I thought.

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

They seem pretty rigid to me. I was hired full time at a large medical center but after having my kids, I was able to work part-time 1-3 days a week.

I wouldn't go so far as to say they are anti-family but definitely less family friendly than they could be.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

When my kids were born, I had to work; there was no choice in the matter. My husband left us after the second child was born, and left the state, never to be heard from again. There was no help back then for mothers~ I received no child support, no food stamps, nothing. I had to work and paid 1/2 my salary just for childcare so I could work. My biggest regret in life is that I did not get to stay home and raise my children, but rather they were raised by daycare and babysitters. If your situation allows you to stay home, then do so. Jobs come and go.

[Sangrita RN]

I would start putting out feelers for p/T PRN postpartum and /or lactation jobs. With my first I stayed home for 4 months. Only two of those months were paid but it was worth it. After that I couldn't afford to stay out of work. However I had the peace of mind knowing she was at home with her dad.

For #2 I started school when she was 8 months and I still felt slightly guilty because she was going to day care.

Do you have FMLA? How long would it last? Have you discussed how long they would hold your position for you?

Yes I have FMLA so I'd be covered for 12 weeks. 6 of it will be paid and I could afford to be off maybe 3 months or so after the 2nd 6 weeks.

I have been keeping an eye out for positions and I have been working on getting my IBCLC.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

If you can financially afford to do it, consider doing PT/PD work at another hospital.

Another alternative is to sign on with a registry/staffing agency: that way, you can choose how many (or how few) hours you want to work. I did that during my younger son's first year, and worked 2-3 days a week whenever I felt like it.

I do recommend that you work per-diem or agency as opposed to not working at all. The longer you stay away from the bedside, the tougher it is get back there, especially in this job market with a glut of nurses looking for work. Plus, many employers require recent experience (as in the last 2-3 years). So do what you can to keep that experience up.

Best of luck whatever you decide!

[JustMeRN]

I went from full time to per diem (weekend and evening shifts when daddy was home) when my first was born. I took a solid 8 months off when my daughter was born. I hadn't planned on being off that long, but my daughter was a clingy fussy little thing, and I just couldn't handle leaving her. I don't for one second regret any of the time I was home with them, even when money was tight and I was pinching penny's. They are both in school full time now, I work part time and I'm heading back to school. I wouldn't change any of my choices.

I think its its a very personal decision. I think it also hinges on the personality of the parent and the child. I don't think staying at home with a child is better than working moms, or vise versa. But I think it's important to choose the option that works best for you, and fits your financial needs.

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

Kindle ironic that a company that is in the business of promoting maternal health cannot/will not do so for their own employee.

[Chocolate_RN85]

Stay home with baby, at least for the first year , those moments when they first take there step, you can never take back, jobs are always there ,they come & they go, those precious moments go, and just go

[AspiringNurseMW]

Kindle ironic that a company that is in the business of promoting maternal health cannot/will not do so for their own employee.

I worked at a birth center for about 9 months. I was in a fluctuating role and did alot when it came to office and insurance, initiated quite a few procedures/methods to increase work flow, played a big part in transitioning over from paper to EMR. Obviously I didn't fall into FMLA but you would think that an environment like that would be more supportive, considering it was full of women. I was led to believe I would be able to work from home, but they decided not to AFTER I gave birth and hired someone else. I got nothing, no paid leave for even a week, not even a work baby shower. Then they fired me a month later. I know it isn't required but yeesh.

[Red Kryptonite]

I wonder if people think businesses and institutions are supposed to suspend all their operations while waiting for them to come back from maternity leave.