Who Here Is a Registered Nurse?

*Raising Hand*

I finished my nursing degree before I had my babies. I will honestly say that it can be a challenge. The Nursing program in Michigan has more applicants than slots and if I remember correctly, Cali is the same. It may be difficult with the kids but does not mean it can not be done. Use the kids as a focus and reasons to achieve your goal.

As far as classes, I would take psych and sociology at the same time (For me they tend to crossover). Focus on making As. Minimum requirements may be Cs but when you are competing against others for the program, it can be a leg up.

Although I have quit work to become a SAHM in 2007, I have been a nurse since 92 so here is my take on Nursing

1. Sure you have to work 12 hrs but then you only have to 3-4 days per week. Some places have the option of 8 hrs shift. My hubby is also a nurse and works for a dialysis company and he goes in his own time. So times do differ.

2. You work some holidays and weekends but you also get paid 8hrs + 1.5 for working those holidays and a weekend diff for the weekend. **A salaried job does not pay you extra for working over 40 hrs**. Nursing is one of the few careers that pay decent post graduation.

3. Another great thing about nursing, you can work around your own schedule or your children's.

4. Nursing is not just bedside. I have mostly done Intensive Care but I have also done Home Care and Case Management (for an insurance company). Home care you can schedule yourself and CM was a 9-5 job. You can also teach or specialize in something like wound care. Down the road, you can also be a Nurse Practitioner or a Nurse Anesthetist.

I miss nursing sometimes. It is one of those careers that if you love it, you will truly love it and if you don't it can be miserable.

Best of luck to you!
D.

I'm not a nurse, but I work with them everyday at a hospital. Every single nurse I know, even the men, have kids. They somehow make it work. They are so dedicated to their professions. I was a patient in the hospital last month and they are so good to everyone.
I think it takes a special kind of person to be a nurse. I certainly am thankful for those who choose the profession.
The nurses I know work differing hours, which they prefer. Many work long shifts, but fewer days a week. It gives them more flexibility for other things. They all care about each other too and they trade off for things.
The other thing I wanted to say is that not all nurses work at hospitals and have crazy hours. Many work in doctor offices. Same goes for radiation techs if they work at an independent imaging facility that schedules patients during business hours.

I hope you get some great responses.
I'm sure you'll be great at whatever you choose!

Almost all the nurses I know became nurses after having children. And they all work part time night shift and sleep while the kids are at school that way one parent is home during the day if a child gets sick. I will be going back to work once my youngest is in kindergarten and I will be doing overnights.

I quit working when I was five months pregnant and never went back (six years later) because it just wasn't a good fit for me to be a nurse and a mother at the same time.

You have to evaluate how much of yourself you have to give...nursing takes so much, as far as being willing to be emotionally available (to be a good nurse, anyhow) and sometimes, after your family, you just don't have enough left to really do well in such a job that demands such a high level of "care."

I miss my job, I miss caring for those people, but I love caring for my children more than I ever did for people who I would get attached to, and then lose (whether they were no longer a patient, or died.)

It's really a difficult decision to make...and it's not about convenience of shifts, in my opinion, but what you are willing to give of yourself. Some people I know do a WONDERFUL job at being both a mother and a nurse. It's really what you think is right for you.

I would def go for nursing. Huge demand, great pay and so many avenues to pursue. I am not an RN but a RT and work in the hospital and work 12 hour shifts. Yes it sucks being away from home 14 hours a day, but that is only 3 days a week and then I have 4 off. If the 12 hour shifts don't work for you there are plenty of 9-5 type jobs in a doc's office, or school, educator, home health, insurance company, the possibilities are endless! Good luck!

I'm also a R.N. from New York and California. I say go for the nursing-aim higher. The money is better and you can always promote and make lateral changes to suit your lifestyle. You may start out having to do the night shifts, some holidays, and some weekends, but after a while you can find jobs that are days and weekends and holidays off. I say get into psych especially if you might get your NP someday. There is such a big need for psych NP's and the money is always starting at lowest $100, 000/yr. I wish I had done that. Goodluck.

My Mom is a nurse and has been for many many years. She chose it as a profession because of her love for helping others, but also because she knew that she would always have a job. When I considered being a nurse she said go become a Dr. You have the knowledge ( and lots of time the experience) as a nurse yet you don't have the authority to make the decision.

My Mom's profession was h*** o* us as children. She worked a lot, including holidays, weekends, nights and long hours. But she was able to provide for us by herself and I have always admired her for the hard work or doing that and putting herself through school to have a career that she was proud of.

Good luck M.!

i am a nurse but i am currently working as a client support rep because my baby is just 4 months old and i thought it will be not convenient to work as a nurse... aside from the shifts its the risk of my baby getting sick imagine all the viruses and bacteria you would be dealing with...

Ok, after reading the others posts, let me give you another thought.

I did finish school before marriage and before kids. BUT, the hospital I worked for had an onsite day care that was NOT open 24 hours, but did think about it's nursing staff. When I got married, then had kids, we were then doing 12 hour shifts. I brought our son into work with me, and my husband picked him up. On the weekends I worked, my husband was the primary care-giver. But by this time I had already been working several years.

When our daughter came along, I did go on maternity leave from the hospital and went into an office setting so I could have more of a fixed schedule.

I've been home now 10-11 years. My kids are now 16 and 20 years! BUT, I love nursing and I miss nursing in a clinical setting every day!
IN MY OPINION, nursing is the only one of the ones you mentioned that is truly flexible. You can go from 12 hour shifts in a hospital, to a 9-5 office/clinic setting, to home health, to contract work, to self-employment. Which is where I am now as a wellness educator.