Sahm going back to work

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Hi! I have been a SAHM for 4.5 years now. Prior to this I worked for two years in Med/Surg. I have decided to go back to work as a per diem nurse (the most 1 to 2 days/week). I have two kids. My little one is almost two years old, but has feeding problems and low birth weight since he was born... it takes alot of patience taking care of him. I hate leaving my kids. I dont have to go to work, my husband does well... am i being selfish for wanting to go back...? I am worried about my kids... my worries is that i might never get a job again in the hospital if i wait too long? I hear stories of how hard it is to get a job after being a SAHM for years...Is this true? Did anyone get a job or a perr diem job after SAH over 10 years? Is it hard to get a per diem position? Im about to decline the offer? So worried if i am going to regret this decision... Thanks everyone in advance!

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Hi! I have been a SAHM for 4.5 years now. Prior to this I worked for two years in Med/Surg. I have decided to go back to work as a per diem nurse (the most 1 to 2 days/week). I have two kids. My little one is almost two years old, but has feeding problems and low birth weight since he was born... it takes alot of patience taking care of him. I hate leaving my kids. I dont have to go to work, my husband does well... am i being selfish for wanting to go back...? I am worried about my kids... my worries is that i might never get a job again in the hospital if i wait too long? I hear stories of how hard it is to get a job after being a SAHM for years...Is this true? Did anyone get a job or a perr diem job after SAH over 10 years? Is it hard to get a per diem position? Im about to decline the offer? So worried if i am going to regret this decision... Thanks everyone in advance!

I think your chance of being picked up per diem depends on where you live. I wouldn't wait much longer, though ...your time off is already more than double your experience time.

Per diem with young kids has been perfect for me. And although work will always be work, the few days I go in sort of feel like days off. If you feel it's too much, you could always resign. At least you'd have a "blip" of experience during your longer absence that way.

Good luck!

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After many years as full-time RN, I decided to go per diem when my daughter was born. My husband agreed that keeping my foot in the door could provide a lot of security for our family. I work the minimum required (at my hospital, thats 3 days per month, but could sign up for much more if I wanted to). This makes it possible to jump right in if say my husband were to be laid of from work, I would not have to go through the hassle of having to interview anywhere. Per diems are the first to be cancelled so the hours are not guaranteed, but like I said before its a lot of security. Plus, I am able to keep up my skill set, so I don't get rusty. Even though there's still a holiday requirement, as a per diem I am able to select which holidays I want to work.

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I can understand why you want to stay current in nursing. You never know when you are going to need your earning potential.

If you have a per diem offer, I think you are fortunate. How long is your training? You are rusty.

We ALL worry about our kids, this move is planning for their future.

Best wishes.

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Training is only about a week... so it works great!

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Per diem is ideal work if you have kids and someone else is picking up the insurance and retirement. I have worked per diem since my first was born and haven't looked back.

Working gives you an income of your own. If you need money, you have the option to pick up more work. When my sons were young, the great recession of 2008 saw lots of people at my husband's job getting laid off. These people had good, well-paying jobs. Luckily nobody at my house was out of work, but I felt more secure that I had that stream of income that could be increased if needed.

You are not selfish in wanting to go back to work. Providing security and investing in yourself professionally are valuable things.

I work primarily weekends. Weekends pay more, and my husband takes care of the kids on the day I work. This has been a good thing. He learned to do real childcare from the beginning, not baby-sitting.

As a mostly stay at home mom, I found having something in my life that was mine, that was satisfying made a big difference.

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What you wrote is exactly how i feel! Thank you!

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Thank you!

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