Many moms make a career change after they have kids, whether it’s because they need a job that’ll fit in better with the kids, or they simply want to try something new. Whether your children are young and have just started school, or they’re close to fledging the nest, you may have decided to change careers.
A popular choice is nursing, which can offer a good salary and career prospects, but is it a good career for a mom?
1. Whether the shifts will work for you
Most nurses work 12 hour shifts at the start of their career, with both day and night shifts available. There are pros and cons to these long shifts. It can allow you to only work three days a week, which means you get to spend more time with the kids on your day off.
However, it can be a challenge to find childcare to cover long shifts and you may find it tiring, meaning you spend a lot of time when you are off work simply recovering.
2. Whether your time as a mom has prepared you
There are many reasons why your time as a mom can give you the skills that you will need in your nursing career:
* You’re likely to be patient and know how to calmly deal with difficult situations
* Nothing grosses you out anymore
* You’re used to hard work
* You have a caring personality
Of course, not every mom will be suitable for a nursing career, and not all nurses are moms, but if you need proof that you have the soft skills needed, then your parenting experience is a good starting point.
3. Where your career might go
Some people don’t consider nursing as a career, as they maybe have an old-fashioned view of nurses and don’t realize just how many opportunities it can open up. Once you’ve taken the basic bachelor’s degree and become a registered RN, you can then move into different specialties and do what interests you.
For example, becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner allows you to work with children, while working as a surgical nurse allows you to enjoy a fast-paced work environment. You don’t have to decide what you’ll specialize in at the start of your studies, but it is worth doing some research and having a think about what you might want to do.
4. How you’ll get your RN status
Becoming a nurse doesn’t necessarily mean going back to college full time. There are lots of ways to become a nurse, and if you already have an associates degree or college credits, then these can count towards your training. You can even study for your bachelor’s degree online, then pass an RN exam, which then gives you flexibility if you are a mom and have a lot to juggle. A healthcare staffing agency can provide you with guidance.
Being a mom can make a career change tricky, but if you want to get into nursing, there are different routes. While it’s a tough job, it often suits people who want a change of career after having kids.
I can understand the difficulties, but there are also a lot of rewards in being a nurse.