How early to start as newly qualified mental health nurse after maternity?

[stripey1]

Hi,
I'm pregnant with first child in my final year as a student mental health nurse, my due date is after the coursework finishes, before we get our PIN. So if I manage to complete the course, I'll immediately be taking maternity time out, then am scared about going in cold when I return as a newly qualified mental health nurse with a young child. I imagine newly qualifieds are expected to work full-time and probably shifts on inpatient wards rather than 9-5 in mental health. It would be stressful enough without a baby. I can't imagine leaving a young baby with someone full time and we don't have family nearby to assist, my partner works full time. Are there any nurses out there with advice on how long they would wait before taking this step or how they would approach it please in this situation? It's hard to imagine and I feel like I'm counting chickens even thinking about it all yet but again I need to try and plan my finances and I'm wondering if it even really makes sense to finish the course this year or whether I'd be better off ducking out and earning some money while I still can. Advice and insight would be much appreciated please, thank you!

You can work part time as a newly qualified and a girl in our cohort was pregnant so took a year out to have the baby then qualified a year later. Speak to your personal tutor at uni for advice.

Thank you for replying. That would be better if they would let me start a job part-time.
I spoke to my tutor but he was really vague. I think the university ideally want me to finish because it makes their stats look better! It's theoretically do-able but it would be stressful and exhausting anyway without being pregnant on top. If I take the 12 months out from uni I think I'd have to start it around 6 months before my due date so I'd be expected back on uni management placement when baby is 6 months, and uni is full time only. But maybe I could take a longer unpaid break. The risk is I never finish the degree. It's so complicated, I think I need to speak to more people at uni to make sense of it all.

Hi Op
If you can finish it before baby has arrived, do so. It's done then. One less thing to worry about. Like you said going back full time when baby is 6 months will be hard.
I really struggled as a single parent but completed it in march. So glad I did. Didn't thi k I would find part time 9-5 but here I am 4 months later awaiting my start date.
You have time once you have qualified to get your head straight. Settle and enjoy your time with baby. Then decide what you would like to do. Knowing you have completed it in time to spend this precious time with baby will be worth it :)

Thank you for your lovely message. And well done on completing your degree and congratulations on your new arrival! That was a lot to achieve especially as a single parent, respect. I think you are right, I will do my best to finish it and see how I go. Good luck with your new job, I hope you enjoy it!