While you’re still pregnant with your child all you can do is look forward to the day you will be able to hold your new baby in your arms. On the other hand, you might also have some concerns about how your life is set to change, especially if you worked full-time as a nurse. New mothers are given at least six weeks time off by employers so that they can recover and bond with their babies. After that, it’s anyone’s guess. You might feel more comfortable going back to work after earning an RN to BSN online, or you might just need a couple of weeks to get back to working 40 hours a week. Nurses who have become first time parents soon see that life is different, but that it is also rewarding in a totally different way.
Checking Into On-Site Childcare
If you think it takes you a lot of time to get ready in the morning wait until you add a newborn baby into the mix. There’s diapers to pack, bottles to sanitize, and your baby might not be cooperative the first few times you attempt to get ready for work. It may be possible for you to make an easy transition back to work if there is an on-site daycare facility. First, you’ll have one less stop to make in the morning. Second, you will be able to see and interact with your baby on your breaks if there is a daycare facility in the same building where you work.
Babies and Sleep Schedules
It generally takes babies about a year before they will sleep through the entire night needing a diaper change, a bottle, or just your reassurance. So, you can imagine how little sleep you will be getting as you prepare to resume work as a full time nurse. You may need to keep in contact with your babysitter or daycare provider about how you baby is sleeping during the day. Doing so will help you when you get off work, as you can put your baby down for a nap right away or wait a few hours until you are both able to get your rest.
Being Realistic About Your Work Shifts
Earning an online BSN degree was probably not as trying as becoming a new parent while also pursuing a career. The thing about being a parent is that there are factors that you can’t control. Instead of feeling like you can take on the world, try and keep the best interests of you and your baby in the back of your mind. You will have plenty of time in coming years to vie for nurse of the year or work longer hours so that you can go up for a promotion.
Go back to working as a nurse as soon as you feel like you are up for it. Hopefully you have an employer who is understanding about family emergencies and just the growing pains that all parents experience. After your child has grown to be two to three years of age you’ll feel like an expert and you might even want to do it all over again.
