Taking time off to take care of my new baby? Bad for career?

Chickenlady · Nov 18, 2020

Do what is right for your family. You'll find another job later

LovingLife123 · Nov 18, 2020

How long have you been a nurse? What type of experience do you have? I would at least stay PRN, that way you are casually working and keeping your skills up.

I know it can seem scary especially with your first with daycare, but many of us have had to do it and it all works out. Have you even explored your local daycare facilities? I know with mine I did trial runs up until I had to go back. It eased my mind a lot starting with a couple hours here and there.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Nov 19, 2020

Do you have to work to pay the bills? If not, stay home with your baby. Why work.. to have someone else raise your child?

Best wishes.

Sour Lemon · Nov 19, 2020

People do that all the time. Many have no trouble coming back, but it does depend on your employment market and experience.

I came back per diem after my first child was born, and it's worked out well for me. I have a foot in the door in case I need extra income at any point, and my experience is being kept current.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 19, 2020

I worked per diem around my husband's schedule. Kids never went to day care. Good luck. I know this is hard for you.

Emergent, RN · Nov 19, 2020

New baby needs you most of all.

HiddencatBSN, BSN · Nov 19, 2020

I’d consider your local job market and your experience. It can be hard to get back in to the job market after time away to raise kids but in my experience and observation it’s easier with nursing than it is in other fields.

If you do choose childcare, you’re not having someone else raise your kids. And a nanny/babysitter isn’t a stranger- you meet and interview them, can do a background check, get references, get to know them. I was part time when my kids were babies, had two long term sitters over 6 years, and still keep in touch with them.

Right now the other thing to consider is the fact that we’re in the midst of a pandemic. If you can keep the baby cocooned a little bit longer without financial hardship that’s a good position to be in.

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2020

I did this. I won't lie, it was a hard crawl back. Mostly though because I didn't stay per diem/PRN. Do that if you can. You will be glad you did because when I went back I had to go back to school (my choice), take a refresher course (not my choice) and just felt so, so rusty, it created more anxiety than it was worth! Staying PRN will save you all that headache because no matter what, once you are gone for 6+ months, gone completely, they start looking at you as having no "recent" experience. Congrats on your new baby, I agree it is time you will never get back. I still feel that way and my kids are 10 and 12. ?

HiddencatBSN, BSN · Nov 21, 2020

I want to add that I went back at 7 weeks with both kids. Didn't have a choice financially, but I found that the PT hours I was working at the time were a welcome chance to get out of the house and be around adults and have space where I wasn't in mom mode. If I'd been able I'd have liked to have stayed home for the full 12 week FMLA, but working PT when they were little was a really nice balance for me between being able to be home with them during their baby toddler days and have intellectual and social stimulation.

areason4stars, ASN, RN · Nov 23, 2020

I personally was able to work full time until they were 4 and starting vpk it was a good balance that way.

Follow your mommy instinct.

How easy/hard it will be to get back into it is greatly dependent on variables esp on how much experience you currently have and how long a break you take.

Golden_RN, MSN · Nov 23, 2020

With the Covid situation, I would try to avoid daycare/babysitter.

Like others mentioned, I worked per diem around my partner's "normal" work schedule when my child was an infant. It depends on your financial/benefit situation though. Daycare is so darn expensive, it might not be worth it in some cases.