DNP student & new mom: Am I crazy to quit my psych RN job to stay home until clinicals start?
Hey everyone, I’m in a major dilemma and could really use some outside perspective from anyone who has balanced a doctorate/NP program, a newborn, and work.
I’m a new mom to a nearly 3-month-old, and I'm also halfway through my PMHNP-DNP program. Clinicals are scheduled to start in about a year. I’m currently on maternity leave from my part-time psych RN position (M/W/F, with some weekend flexibility).
I need to decide whether to return to work, but our childcare situation just fell apart:
Our planned childcare facility closed down.
Other local centers are quoting around $2,000/month just for part-time care, which feels incredibly steep.
**My Options & Logistics:**
Go back to the RN job: I would miss my job and the income, but between the $2k childcare cost and the DNP coursework, I know my stress levels will be through the roof. Also, what I make would be very minimal and wouldn’t cover all the childcare costs.
Stay home with the baby for the next year: Am I crazy for considering this? My mom lives an hour away and has her own life, but she has offered to come over for a couple of hours a day to watch the baby so I can grind out my doctoral schoolwork.
The potential middle ground: My academic advisor mentioned a virtual TA (Teaching Assistant) position might open up in about 6 months. Since my long-term goal is to eventually become a professor, this feels like a perfect resume builder. I could do it from home, utilizing those few hours of help from my mom.
**If I stay home, I’ll have a 1-year gap in my RN nursing experience right before clinicals start. If I go back, I'm looking at financial strain from childcare and massive burnout.**
For those who have been through a rigorous NP program with a baby—what would you do? Did you pause working before clinicals? Is a 1-year gap a bad look for PMHNP clinical placement or future hiring?
**Thank you in advance!**