Stay at home for year after graduating?

avahnel, ASN, RN · Dec 7, 2008

It is up to you, but I would be concerned that I would forget a lot between passing boards and starting working. Maybe you could find a job that is per deim, on only one floor so you will still be keeping your skills fresh, but still spending time with your family. At one hospital I worked at as a unit sec, they had a critical care float pool that some new grads were in, after a while they found floors that they meshed with and they would call and offer them shifts when they had gaps in the schedulle so they were on the same floor, and did not have to re-orient every shift. There are many options. Maybe when you do your preceptorship you can find something like that.

Jules A, MSN · Dec 8, 2008

Hi,

I'd be concerned that you would have a tough time getting hired because technically you wouldn't be a new grad and yet you would most likely need a new grad orientation. I do know quite a few that were trying to get pregnant very soon after they started working as a new grad much to their employers dismay. Wish you well with whatever you decide.

CrystalClear75, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2008

It's has now been a year since I've graduated and was a stay at home mom for the past year, and plan on working as an RN in a few months after I pass my test. Will this affect me getting a job? Someone please respond, now I'm worried. I won't be a GN when I apply, I'll be an RN...so is there a difference? Btw, I've been studying but at a very slow pace... I'm pretty good on every topic now.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 8, 2008

to answer your question, sunnybunny75, i think you will still be considered a new graduate nurse since you lack experience. however, the real problem will be that you are competing against a lot of new graduate nurses who will have just graduated rather then be in your position. the competition for nursing jobs is stiff. i know that you have heard different because of the so-called nursing shortage but it is no longer the case for new grads. there are plenty of us... more then a hopsital needs in many places. :twocents: maybe you can start looking now rather then wait until you pass the nclex? i have a job lined up and i graduate this week.

op: similar to my advice to sunnybunny75, you will more then likely be seen as a new grad even if you are a rn. try to find a hospital that will hire you as a nurse extern, has a new graduate program to support the needs of new nurses, and will orient new nurses well on the floors. also, once you graduate, get a job. try not to go without one for too long. finding a job as a new graduate nurse is now harder then it has been in the past. there is currently no shortage of new grads in many places around the country. in fact, i know of a former student nurse (now rn) who had the same plans you had with her second child. however, because the competition of landing a new job was such a problem for her, she had her second baby within weeks of graduating and decided against staying home because there was no guarantee she could return to the hospital setting after a year off. it is the sign of the times. gl! :icon_roll

CrystalClear75, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2008

Thanks MBA2BRN for the reply!

I just checked, the place I want to work at is still hiring, it's a long term care facility. I'm very interested in working with Geriatrics, however, your post is making me nervous. I've been back to studying full speed, I had to take some time off for my sanity(took a few weeks here and there) now I'm going to study till I'm done.

DonMonsieur · Dec 8, 2008

I wonder if it is any easier to enter a career while also trying to care for a one year old. In the end it definitely comes down to how you feel. Do you have a large base of support, like other family members that would be willing to watch your child when you have to work?

Another angle I look to answer your question from is, would you have better health insurance during your pregnancy if you were to be employed? Or perhaps your husband has adequate coverage for you and any future children.

For many people, there is a huge psychological component to consider. Will you be happy being completely financially dependent on one other person? Will you grow bored or tired or lonely being a full time mother?

At the very least I urge you to consider having a back-up plan for when life happens. What will you do?

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2008

As a former manager who hired nurses I will tell you that you will probably have trouble getting hired. I'm not being mean, but real--I wouldn't hire you. Most hospital employers are willing to hired a new grad a put them into a new grad orientation program. They depend on the recommendation of your school instructors to make a decision to hire you. You are still a learner at that point. If you wait a year to work you will have made a serious interruption in your learning and forget a lot. Not only that, but its possible that the instructors that need to provide you with a recommendation for the first job will no longer be employed at the nursing school or may not even remember you. I wouldn't chance it. You can always start a job and go on maternity leave if you get pregnant and as the time of birth gets close.

CoCo Queen · Dec 8, 2008

If I was in your shoes, no kids, and a new graduate, I would begin my career first. I don't know how your financial situation is or will be looking by 2011, but I do know that two checks are better than one. Why not save up money to carry you when you do decide to stay at home with the baby(ies)? You never know how long you are actually going to want to stay home with the baby, so why not get your feet wet and stack up emergency money BEFORE you child gets here. You will have more to fall back on, literally...

Jolie, BSN · Dec 8, 2008

As harsh as it may sound, I second Daytonite's response.

Another thing to consider is this: While it is improper for a recruiter to ask about your marital status and children during an interview, a savvy manager can pretty much figure it out. If you take a year off between school and employment, you will need to offer a plausible explanation for your decision. Whether or not you mention your baby is up to you, but as a manager comparing 2 or more candidates, I am not likely to favor a candidate with a new baby, who will likely be less flexible in terms of scheduling due to child care issues and need more sick time to care for her child. I might also question the motivation of a candidate who took a year off rather than "jumped into" her new profession. (Are you seeking employment now because you want to or because you have no other choice?)

In a healthy economy where jobs are plentiful, it probably wouldn't matter. In a tight economy where new grads may have trouble finding any jobs, I don't think a year off is a good idea.

FutureKYRN · Dec 9, 2008

Thanks for all your suggestions,

I think Im going to go ahead and get that year of experience before even starting a family.. I think that's best.

allnurses Guide · Dec 10, 2008

You also have to spend 9 months being pregnant, so you could start trying after 8 or 10 months work. By the time you deliver you'll have a year and a half's worth of experience!

My dh was so funny about it, we were discussing how long we should be married and getting used to it before having kids. We'd decided to be married at least a year, so he said after that we'd raise kids. I reminded him I had to be preggers for at least 9 months before that happened and he looked like someone had just hit him over the head, then said "I never thought about that part of it!".