time-off to raise children

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Specializes in L&D.

I'm about to start my first nursing job and I plan to have children in about 3 years. I've always thought I'd like to take off a few years from work when my children are young and then go back when they're in school.

Is this a bad idea? Would I lose my nursing skills or have trouble finding a new job?

(We would likely move to a different town after children, so I'd need to start over at a new hospital anyway)

I though finding work after nursing school would be really easy, but it was definitely much harder than I thought, and I worry that finding work after 5 years of being a stay at home mom might be harder than I thought also.

Did anyone else do it?

Does it depend a lot on the economy and how desperate they are for nurses at the time I want to go back?

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My advice would be maybe to not quit completely but go part-time or PRN. that way you keep some skills but are able to be home most of the time with your children. I went part time after having my baby, i work 2 twelve hour shifts a week, if you were to do PRN you could work one shift a week.

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Specializes in MS, OB, PEDI, VNA, TELEM.

I worked 24 hrs a week for 6 years when my kids were young and that worked out well. You are probably going to want to get out and see other adults and use your skills.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Go part-time or perdiem. It's a lot easier to stay in a hospital system, then start all over again.

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Specializes in CMSRN.

I thought I wanted to stay home with my kids. (this was before I was a nurse) I had to get a part time job just to keep myself sane. I appreciated my kids more. So not only will you keep up your skills but help maintain your sense of self while raising your children.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I was a stay home Mommy until my kiddos were school aged, and I really enjoyed it. I didn't find it all that difficult to get back into the work force when I was ready. Of course, I didn't have a nursing license then; I was in a different profession. You might need to work a minimum number of hours per year to keep your license active.

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I have been contemplating this option as well, and have decided to work PRN as well. Around here if you are out of the system for more than one year you have to complete a re-entry program.

Best of luck!

Tait

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Don't let your skills or license lapse.

I work per diem. When my sons were newborns, I worked as little as 4 hours a week sometimes.

Now I work 12-hour Saturdays per diem. The boys are taken care of by their Dad. I see a lot of my children during the week, pay nothing for childcare, and earn a good per diem rate.

Everyone's situation is different, but skills and confidence are perishable and need practice.

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Specializes in Neuroscience/Neuro-surgery/Med-Surgical/.

During my interview at the hospital I work at now, I was asked if I had taken any time off between job; I did for about 2 months. This was counted against me when they were calculating my hourly rate. 2 MONTHS? ridiculous......

Definitely do PRN if not part time....

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Go part-time , casual, PRN to keep your skills up and continue to be marketable.

otessa

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Specializes in Hospice.

I'm still looking for my first nursing job, but as a previous stay at home mom, I have to tell ya that you will probably be grateful for a chance to get out of the house, away from kids, and having some adult interaction, even if it is once a week!

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During my interview at the hospital I work at now, I was asked if I had taken any time off between job; I did for about 2 months. This was counted against me when they were calculating my hourly rate. 2 MONTHS? ridiculous......

Definitely do PRN if not part time....

Sounds like my hospital... they deducted the time not worked.

I have to agree with others, it is very difficult to get another job if you have been away from nursing for a while. Unfortunately, I'm dealing with that now... some managers don't even want to talk to me for positions that require "0" experience (basically, they'd prefer a new grad. Helllllooooo, I think I remember a few things after several years of nursing!) :uhoh21:

DeLana

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