As busy moms in Westchester County, it can be challenging to start a new career or continue the one we had before having children. A regular 9-5 job typically does not work with our kids’ schedules.
I became a Registered Nurse before having kids and realized I made the best decision ever.
With a schedule of 12-hour shifts three times a week, I have been able to work full-time and spend time with my kids and family. I pick up my kids from school every day and have the flexibility with my schedule to go to school events, schedule vacations, and help provide a good income for my family. If you have been thinking about becoming a nurse, take this as your sign to do it!
For the 22nd consecutive year, nursing has ranked #1 on the Most Honest and Ethical Professions poll. As Trusted healthcare providers, our duties truly offer a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Even on my worst days at work, I have never regretted becoming a Registered Nurse. I know my work for my patients is vital and gives me the energy to keep going during pandemics, staffing shortages, and tragic situations. I also experience joy, gratitude, and success on my best days.
Let’s talk about the great reasons to become a nurse.
1. The Schedule
One of the biggest perks of becoming a nurse is the schedule. Most nursing jobs consist of 12-hour shifts for three days a week. In hospitals, the shifts generally go from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. While the night shift can be challenging for your sleep schedule, it allows moms to spend time with their kids in the evening and bring them to school in the morning or work around their partner’s schedule while their family sleeps.
Many of my friends who work in the hospital can make their schedules and will work three days in a row and then have four days off. They can even take eight days in a row off for vacations without using any paid time off. However, there are so many different nursing schedules that can work for your family.
I work in dialysis, so my shifts start at 4 a.m. and end at 2 p.m., allowing me to be with my kids every day after school. Most settings require two weekends a month, but many medical offices want nurses from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are closed on the weekends. Every school needs a school nurse, which can lead to summers off. There is almost certainly a nursing job out there that would work for your family’s schedule.
2. Employability
Of all the states, New York has the 4th highest nursing employment rate in the county, and the job market is projected to grow by 17% by 2030. “As of January 26, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Registered Nurse in New York is $46.22 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $78.90.” In terms of annual salary, that’s an average of about $94,000 annually, with opportunities for overtime and advancement for even more income.
3. Nursing School and Programs
I went to art school before going to nursing school, so I definitely was not a person who was great at math, science, or chemistry, but I was still able to get through it, so don’t let the fear of these subjects hold you back! There are a few different paths to becoming a nurse and endless possibilities.
I became a Registered Nurse after receiving my associate’s degree in nursing. I had the same license as nurses who completed a 4-year degree by passing the NCLEX-RN exam, but my employability was slightly below my peers with a BSN because hospitals do want new hires to have their BSN.
In New York, it is required to receive your bachelor’s degree within ten years of receiving your RN license. To accomplish this, I took one online class at a time for years (while my kids were asleep) to earn my BSN. Since I was employed, the company I worked for paid for my classes, saving me about $20,000 in tuition, which was a big perk of getting the ASN first. Many institutions will provide education reimbursement to some degree to stay competitive, and some of them will even pay for master’s degrees in nursing, licensing fees, and nursing association membership subscriptions.
Another way to become an RN if you already have a bachelor’s degree in a different field is to apply for an accelerated BSN program, which usually lasts about 18 months. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are required to take 18 months of classes and a licensing exam. Still, these nurses typically make a lower salary while doing much of the same work as a registered nurse, so I recommend applying for the RN license instead. I have worked with many RNs who started as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or Patient Care technicians and worked their way up while in school while working.
After becoming an RN, the possibilities for advancement are endless. You can become a nursing supervisor or nurse manager, go for your master’s in nursing and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or even a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a PhD. Many nurses take the path toward administrative degrees to help shape policy in hospital settings.
A great part about becoming a nurse is that you can change specialties without returning to school. I went from plastic surgery to short-term rehab and hospice to dialysis without ever being required to go back to school. Most nursing jobs provide paid training and value gaining practical experience and then going for special certification.
4. Fields of Nursing
Most nurses recommend working in Med-Surg nursing in a hospital setting initially after school. This is because Med-Surg provides experience in many areas of nursing, making it a great way to show you have the knowledge and skill set to take on any specialty after that. Working in Med-Surg for two years usually opens the door for any other nursing field, but it is not required for every field.
However, most hospitals would prefer you complete this experience before moving on to Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Oncology, ICU, or Emergency Medicine. I know some nurses who work from home in case management or for insurance companies. Some nurses visit patients’ homes to provide direct care. Travel nursing or working for short-term contracted periods in different states for premium compensation is a lucrative field in nursing.
Nursing is the best decision I have ever made. It trained me to care for my children and sick family members and helped me provide for my family. At the same time, my husband completed training to accomplish his goals, allowed me to pick my kids up from school every day and attend every school event, and put me in contact with wonderful patients, families, and hard-working peers.
