Should I take time off? Help!

[trauma_lama]

Hey. For y'all who have been there, done that. I have a 9 month old. We are workin on #2. I was hired at an ASC for the OR before I graduated from school- a little less than 2 years ago- my complete dream job (I wanted to be in the OR since before nursing school). Great hours, good people, fascinating stuff. I'm having difficulty balancing working part time and feeling like I get enough time with my little one. I've been given 2 raises and made a specialty team service leader since I started, so I know my performance isn't a problem. I enjoy my job for the most part, and I don't want to lose my skills. We're also having some serious trouble finding reliable childcare that can accommodate a part time schedule that varies sometimes from week to week. My husband and I both come from years of retail so we're really trying to avoid going back to a schedule where one of us is working nights/weekends/holidays (which is why an ASC is perfect for me!). We can afford for me to quit (we'd be tight, but we could make it work), but the idea of that makes me nervous professionally speaking... If I take a few years off (and keep up with CE credits of course), will I be "hireable" when kid(s) are starting school? Me staying home makes more sense for our family right now but I worked my ass off to get through nursing school (as I'm sure you all did too) and get a job I love and I don't want it to all mean nothing if I can't get hired again down the road...? What have y'all's experiences been like with taking time off work to be a stay at home parent (or for whatever reason)?

Note: I love the OR, but I'm also interested in other types of nursing when I return to the work force (like psych, hospice, emergency). Thanks for your thoughts on my conundrum.

[T-Bird78]

Bear in mind you'll have a gap in your employment that will need to be explained when you're job hunting again, and if you say it was to stay home with your kids than can be a damper on HR hiring you over someone without kids. I had to reassure my former manager that having 2 kids now (I left when I had my baby and was rehired over a year later, so they already knew I had kids) wouldn't affect my attendance and performance. Try and get a 9-5 schedule and check with local daycare centers (daycare isn't evil, I promise) because most will have a part-time option for 2-3 days a week at a partial rate. They'll be open M-F and you can bring your baby whatever 2 days a week you need.

[Red Kryptonite]

Comments like the last two, while they may be true, are so sad. God forbid any parent think about not being a worker drone for a tiny part of their lives, and dedicate themselves to their children. I see that as a cultural flaw we need to repair.

[Oedgar]

I would try and go per diem. I stayed home for 13 years... and it was wonderful. My husband worked an awful rotating/overtime shift schedule, and somebody had to be home to hold down the fort. My son was a preemie with developmental issues until he was about 5.5... and we had a daughter after him. I had already moved from inpatient Pedi to allergy office when my son was born. Stopped working when I had him. When they got to school age... I could not get any sort of job. For Nursing Jobs, I had been out too long. My license and CEUs were current. I had checked with BON about this. Also, my education and work experience seemed to hold me back from getting more generic jobs such as library clerk or aide at the school. I only got my current job at an OB office because I kinda knew someone there. Had I not known her, my resume' would never have gotten a 2nd look. Being home is important... but keep your foot in the door.

[macfar28]

You've said you don't want to be on opposite schedules as your husband and you can afford to quit. I say do it. I too had a part time job and it was very difficult finding affordable and reliable child care. I don't regret the years I was home and found it easy to return. You're clearly bright and capable and I feel certain you will be snatched up when the time is right. Just my 2 cents.

[naptimeRN]

Per diem. I love it and plan to quit my part time job and stick strictly with my per diem job when my child is born. There is something about making your own schedule that makes hospital nursing very tolerable for me 😛

[NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN]

I vote going PRN. if you can afford to cut down your hours, just do it. You will never regret that time. I hired several nurses that took off some time to raise their kids. That was explanation enough. I would never judge someone on that decision.