Back to work as a nurse after mat leave

[NurseMama]

I'm not even on maternity leave yet and I'm already feeling anxious about going back to work!

I've been off sick since 21 weeks with bad SPD and it's doubtful I'll be able to work again before my mat leave starts (I'm and ICU nurse and cannot stand and move well enough at the moment to do my job). So I'll have been off work for more than a year by the time I go back!

Other nurses in my position: Did you struggle finding your feet again when you went back to work? Am I going to be rubbish and forget everything?

I went back when mine were 4 months, 5 months, 1 year, and 6 months old but only went back very part time at first. Doing nights was the worst part after looking after kids all day having to go onto a night shift. However the place I work in (palliative care) is probably not as high tech as ICU although still very demanding in other ways. Looking back now I don't know how I did it but I guess you have to do what you need to to make ends meet.

I definitely want to go back to work. I'm lucky that I love my job. The plan at the moment is to go back part time (2 12.5 hour shifts per week, no nights thank GOODNESS). Here in the UK mat leave is a whole year, so that on top of the sickness I've had to take is awfully long time. I just want to stay competent.

Can't offer any advice, just lots of sympathy. Im feeling very similar levels of worry. Also a nurse, and while still at work now (26weeks) won't be able to work as late as I'd like due to health issues (might last another 4 weeks I hope). Like you already dreading going back, worried all the specialist skills etc needed for my area will have somehow disappeared. Also dreading having to put baby in nursery tho I've been told by many it's good for them I'm still sad.
A year off in a job like ours feels daunting. Tho we should feel reassured that many nurses do it and make it look easy so fingers crossed all is well for you.

I'm in a similar position, currently on ML, went off sick at 25 weeks (carrying twins, back, hips and pelvis were totally wrecked) and have taken the full year off so it'll be about 14/15 months time off in total.

I've applied for and got a new job in the last week though so going back to an entirely different job at the end of my mat leave! Suppose that's one way to get back in at the deep end!

Don't worry about going back, there was a whole squad of us who were off on ML at the same time and the ones who've gone back said it only took a few days to get back into the swing of things.

Sorry should mention it's nursing I'm in too in a specialist area so forgetting everything was a big worry of mine (and my friends)

I was in a very similar position, off from 26 weeks, non clinical from about 20.
It is like riding a bike I promise! I was so worried but it really was fine.
The hardest thing was being away from DS and getting used to long days again, the actual work was not a problem at all.

I did do 2 weeks of consolidation for three days a week before I went to 2 days though. As my trust offered it on bank and I was worried that it would take longer for me to get back in the flow at just 2 days with a day off inbetween.

Thanks so much for the reassurance, ladies! It means a lot. I'm trying to decide if I want to go back to ICU or try for something different (either forensic nurse examiner or an entry level band 6 specialist role).