Taking a break for baby after NCLEX...tips and questions

[KileKK]

Hello, I have done some searching on here and haven't found anything yet to answer my questions. I am in my last semester of nursing school (yay!). I will be taking my NCLEX ASAP after graduation and having a baby in September. What I am (pretty sure) set on is waiting until after the baby comes to start looking for a job, but I am worried that the break may have an impact on future employment. I am a good student with a great GPA (not trying to brag, just some background), however I was unable to be hired on to any SNE/Tech positions while in school. So here are my questions???

Should I stick with my plan to wait until after the baby (not sure how great a job interview will go at 6 months pregnant) If so....

Would it be a good idea for me to keep up on my BLS?

What about doing some CEU's while I am off? Haven't done much research, but what area should I go for if I am hoping for any position and dreaming of an ICU/Critical Care type position?

Is there anything else I can do to show my future employers I am dedicated to my future work even though I took 6 months off after school?

Or should I start applying along with alot of my other classmates?

Thanks for your help/opinions in advance!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I would try to work at a flu clinic per diem after you are licensed. That way you're at least doing *something* with the license and are possibly even able to network with the other flu clinic nurses. Keep in touch with your instructors because sometimes they get job opening information that's not posted for word of mouth positions and sometimes they know the folks making hiring decisions.

DEFINITELY keep up BLS.