When you take time off from nursing, you can feel like it is difficult to re-enter the profession, especially when you have had a few years off all in one go. As you are probably aware, nursing is a very versatile sector, and it welcomes back new and old nurses alike.
Returning to Nursing After Having Children
Of course, even if you have only had a couple of years off, you will notice the developments and improvements that have come into action since you left the scene but fear not, as you will be welcomed back slowly and surely, ensuring that integration is comfortable for you and your colleagues.
Getting Settled
Going back to work can be a massive shock to the system. The rota you thought you had left behind and the rushed lunches are all things that will take a little bit of getting used to, but rest assured, after a couple of weeks, you will have fully settled and will be well on your way to picking up where you left off. Getting settled can sometimes take longer than a few weeks, and it can take months to settle and integrate with your teammates fully. This is why it is essential to be patient with yourself and take it easy.
Finding a Routine
When you return to work, the routine you establish will depend on how old your children are and the hours that you work. Finding a routine is easier to do if you have fixed hours upon your return to work, but if you are on flexible hours and shifts, then childcare, meal times, and school runs might be a bit of a blur for the first few weeks until you establish a routine that works for you and your family.
Creating a weekly timetable and plan is essential to finding a routine easier for you and your family members. Having something easy to read and easily accessible will ensure that everyone can see what they have to do and when. Having a physical referral point for everyone will save time, hassle, and unnecessary stress.
Focusing on Great Patient Care
While having time off to look after your children, caring for others is probably one of the only things you have not stopped doing. Of course, caring for your children is different from caring for patients within your care, but in general, the caring and nurturing you have lavished on your children can now be given to your patients instead. When it comes to giving patients great care, it is essential first to put their needs and requirements. Y
ou can, of course, find out their records and details easily by looking at their charts, but you can also find out about them and their care plan by asking them and asking the others who care for them. When you refer to a patient’s notes, you ensure that you provide them with personal and individual care as much as you can, which is what every patient wants.
Self-Growth and Development
When you have got used to how things work once again, and you are aware of the new changes that have been implemented, it is time to start focusing on yourself, on your growth and development, and on getting the most out of returning to your nursing career. When it comes to self-growth, it is important to start looking at and enhancing your areas of strength and weakness. Self-growth is about making yourself as good as you can be, and if you cannot focus on yourself now that you have returned to work, when will you be able to make yourself a priority?
Looking at Career Progression
Part of self-growth and development can be linked closely to career progression, which can benefit your career and personal life. When you are looking at moving up the ladder to perhaps becoming a nurse practitioner, you will want to look at going from your BSN to DNP as seamlessly and quickly as possible. Fortunately, you can study for your DNP online from the comfort of your home and often fit it in with your family life and existing commitments, which is always good.
You may not be overthinking about career progression at the moment, especially as you have only just got settled after returning from having children. Still, sometimes you need to get ahead of the game. There are gaps in the market and opportunities for progression occurring all of the time, so if you are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, why wouldn’t you grab opportunities with both hands?
Returning to Studying
You might not have thought about returning to studying so soon after getting back into work, but why would you not focus on your development and make it a priority? Of course, when you have a family in tow, studying, working, and running a home can be challenging to say the least. Still, you can study and achieve that promotion or progression with a bit of dedication and perseverance. To get your DNP, you will be looking at studying for a few years, around 3-4, so it is important that you are fully committed and aware of what you are undertaking before you sign up. Ideally, you will get all of your family on board before committing to studying to ensure that they are behind you and as supportive as possible. Nothing is worse than trying to study and learn with children hanging around your feet.
Returning to Nursing After Having Children
Returning to nursing gives you the opportunity and chance to reach out and help others. If you push yourself forward by focusing on career progression, you can increase the financial rewards and remuneration you get. Nursing will always be an industry and sector that needs committed, enthusiastic, and hardworking individuals, so you have no excuse not to get back to nursing when you are ready.