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 :)

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

Most other industrialized nations have paid maternity leave programs, and their economies still function. Paid maternity leaves and more flexible hours when women return to work have not managed to ruin the economies of Canada, Sweden, France...could keep going. In fact, one could argue that providing this support and flexibility creates healthier, more stable families in the long run who can better contribute to the workforce.

OP, I'm sorry your job won't work with you (it sounds like the Nurse Family Partnership?) As others have said, continuing to put out feelers for per diem jobs might be your best option.

[softrbreeze]

If you have the option of staying home with your baby, TAKE IT! SAHM is my dream job- unfortunately for me, that isn't an option. Your baby will only be a baby for a short time. Enjoy your pregnancy and future baby :)

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

The best job in the world will pale compared to taking care of your newborn...However, you said you will need to return to work a few months after the baby comes. Have you done the math on what it costs to have a baby on a part time salary? That may give you an answer. If you can afford to do part time somewhere I'd do it because you're going to be tired!! Good luck!

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

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.

Usually you and me are on the same page, but I've gotta disagree with you here. Family friendly policies are good for business, employee loyalty/reduced turnover, employee satisfaction. Why do Canada and Europe give a paid year maternity leave and some give Paternity leave as well. Businesses in those countries aren't dying off in droves. The reproductive years of an employee are short, and you could earn their loyalty for a lifetime. Better than an employee just quitting because she couldn't get a part-time schedule on return.

[JoseQuinones]

After seven years of trying and two rounds of fertility treatment, my wife and I would give anything to have this problem. Jobs come and go, but children are a blessing for life.

[Red Kryptonite]

After seven years of trying and two rounds of fertility treatment, my wife and I would give anything to have this problem. Jobs come and go, but children are a blessing for life.

Sorry to hear this Jose. I hope something works for you guys soon.

[SubSippi]

Maybe you could offer to work more PRN than part time and see if that works.

By this, I'm assuming that by part time you mean you'd be guaranteed part time hours every week. But could you be a person that they call to fill in if someone calls in sick or goes on vacation? Or offer to fill in for a couple hours when someone has a doctor's appointment or their car breaks down?

Are there other jobs available with that company that offer more flexible or less hours? Maybe not even a nursing job or something that involves interacting with patients, but if you really love that job then that could be a good way to keep one foot in the door.

[turtlesRcool]

I think this is such an individual decision. My 3rd child is due next month, and I will start working 12 weeks after my due date. Because I have had the experience of staying home with my first, I know that I, personally, am a better mother when I'm not with my child 24/7. I love my children, but when I'm home alone with them, my world gets very small, and I find the tedium unbearable for extended periods of time.

My husband makes good money, so I don't need to work to pay the bills. But I need to work for myself. I need the mental stimulation of other adults. I need to be problem solving. And when I get that time away, I can come home, be a good mother, and really enjoy my children.

It can be hectic juggling a job and small children, but I don't think I've missed out on anything by putting my children in daycare.

[NRS86]

Wow, this is exactly the dilemma im facing now. I have a 3 month old but i only work part time nights on med/surg. HATE IT!! I honestly would rather work full time in a job i love than part time in a job i hate.

I have so much anxiety going into work that its hard for me to enjoy my days off with my baby.

Im considering going prn at my current job and maybe doing private duty nursing prn also until i can get a position in post partum or nicu at my work.

I just can't decide what to do, i wish i could stay home while my kids are little but we can't afford that. All i know is im very depressed in the position im currently in and its taking a toll on my health but its still hard for me to decide what to do also lol.

I agree with previous posts, they are babies for such a short time and work will always be there (especially medsurg if your desperate enough lol). I think spending that time with your family is more important. And then when they are busy in school you can focus on your self and your career again.

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

After seven years of trying and two rounds of fertility treatment, my wife and I would give anything to have this problem. Jobs come and go, but children are a blessing for life.

I'm sorry. We had 4 recurrent miscarriages, 2 after 12 weeks. I ended up going to a controversial specialist in NYC and was on many many meds but it did work. I hope you find a protocol that will work for you.

[Chocolate_RN85]

Sorry Jose, 😔 , what about adopting ? I know is not the same , but it is an option

[Sangrita RN]

Well the problem is the uniqueness of my job. Each full time nurse has a caseload of 25 clients and they are all her own individual clients so PRN isn't an option either. A part time nurse would have to be a job share where 2 nurses split one full time position.