taking time off after 1st year..children?

[erin01]

So i am now 7months in. I have learned soooo much already, and i know i have not even touched the tip of the iceberg yet. But i am pregnant=) I will be there almost 13m when i take my maternity leave which is only 6-12 weeks. And realistically when i think about it, if i attempt to go back i will have to have two children in daycare! Which would would mean my whole pay check. I was thinking of taking a little more time like 7m- to a year so that my son can then start kindergarden. Would that be the worse thing to do for my career? I know my floor is hard up on nurses with experience. So I am hoping that my nurse manger will work with me. But not sure to what extent. any adv or experience?

[imenid37]

Do you have the option to work prn or every other weekend? If you completely leave, you will have to go through the whole orientation process again for your facility. When you have young kids making arrangements for a few weeks of full-time days or orientation a year down the road could be a real problem. I know a lot of nurses with young kids who pick up 4 hours in the evening here or there or a weekend shift here or there. With the way the economy is, you may want to keep a few toes in the door, if not a whole foot. My kids are all grown now. I worked a lot of funny shifts and weekends when they were little. My oldest daughter had JA, so I needed the money for meds and treatment from working, but had to be available to take her for appointments, so being a nurse and working nights was a real plus for me. If I had an office job or had been a teacher, etc I could not have continued to work. I was also lucky I had a great family daycare provider who would watch her (when she was well) and my other two girls two days a week after I worked nights. The night differential helped my pay for childcare too. It is really up to you. Either way, it is a really great but hectic time in lfe. Best of luck to you!

[BluegrassRN]

I agree with the above poster.

Taking a one year leave would hurt you, I think, especially in this economy. However, you aren't a complete newbie, either, not by the time you have your baby.

Working very few shifts (4 a month) would leave your foot in the door for when you wanted to go back full time. You wouldn't lose your skills, you wouldn't be starting over, you wouldn't lose your continuous employment (for seniority and future resume purposes). It would benefit your unit because it shows your commitment to the unit AND they don't have to pay to reorient you when you return full time.

Depending upon your significant other's schedule, you could work every other weekend, or you could maybe do every Saturday or every Sunday. You aren't probably going to be able to say you want to work every Monday--you're going to have to pick a shift that is difficult to cover anyhow.

Frankly, after having two little ones and having been in the workforce, I *wanted* to go back. I'm a better mom if I have a little outside of the home stimulation. You may welcome the mental stimulation at that point!

In any case, though, I think it would be a good balance of family and career if you stayed on PRN. Good luck!

[RNperdiem, RN]

If you can get health insurance through the second income, I would recommend per diem.

If they don't need per diem on your floor, a hospital float pool is a good option.

I would not recommend dropping completely out of nursing; getting back in would be more difficult. You never know when you will be short of money and need to work a little extra.

I work a lot of weekends and sometimes a 3-7 in the evenings.

My husband had to become very competent at real "childcare" as opposed to "babysitting" when I worked all day. It was good for the family.

We never pay for childcare.

Even 4 hours a week will keep you in the game.

[RainnRN]

I was a New Grad with only 5 months experience when my second child was born. I returned to work after maternity leave, but my infant refused to take a bottle and was so fussy I ended up quitting work after a week. In hindsight, I wish I had accepted the casual position my boss offered me. My baby was diagnosed with cancer a few months after I stopped working, so I probably would have ended up quitting anyway. My son is in remission now, but as the other poster stated it is hard to get back into the system once you leave esp when you have to complete a full time orientation. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

[proudnurseRN]

Two children in daycare would mean your whole paycheck? Wow.

If you want to stay at home with your little ones and can afford to then you don't need a permission slip from anyone. Just remember if you give your job to someone else there may not be another one waiting for you when you want to come back.

If you're not worried about money, and you want to stay home (which is perfectly understandable) then stay at home. If your expecting to have a job once your child is in Kindergarden, then that depends on your area.

I wouldn't expect my floor to be minue one nurse for 7 months to a year, nor would I expect someone to just get hired in while I was gone. Ultimately it's up to your manager though/

[RainnRN]

Just wanted to add that I don't regret making the decision to stay at home. It just wasn't the best career move. If you decide to stay at home, a refresher course may be helpful when you decide to return to work. Good Luck!

[MassED, BSN, RN]

try part-time or PRN. Find a sitter or home daycare that could give a discount for two in daycare. Work around your spouse's schedule, etc. Lots of ways. I work on weekends, to avoid daycare altogether - or pick up time when my hubby comes home from work. I got pregnant the month I started my first job out of nursing school! No big deal.