How to Save for Maternity Leave as a PRN Nurse

Congratulations! If you are reading this, then it is likely that you have a tiny bundle of joy that’s brewing and will bless your life in the near future.

If you are a nurse, you have probably thought about nurse maternity leave and its financial implications. The first thing you want to do after you give birth is focus on spending time with your little one and not worry about finances.

Maternity leave for nurses will look different for each nurse. That’s because while some nursing positions offer paid maternity leave, others do not. If you are a per diem nurse (PRN), you can enjoy the benefits of an excellent work-life balance, affording you the time to dedicate to your newborn. However, most PRN nurses don’t get paid maternity leave.

But that’s okay. There are plenty of ways to save as a per diem nurse or regular staffed nurse without maternity leave coverage.

Take a deep breath, and break out your piggy bank; here’s how to save as a nurse before you have your baby.

1. Check your state and job’s maternity policies

In all states, W-2 employee nurses may be eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. This type of leave protects your position and is regulated by the Family Leave Medical Act (FMLA).

Depending on the state they live and work in, some W-2 employee nurses may be offered paid maternity or parental leave.

California maternity leave is regulated by the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and offers 12 weeks of paid or unpaid job-protected leave for qualifying nurse employees.

New Jersey is another example of a state that offers paid leave through Family Leave Insurance (FLI). This NJ maternity leave policy allows eligible nurses to take up to 12 weeks of partial wages during their time off to “bond with their baby.” Maternity leave for men may be shorter depending on their employer’s policies.

Some factors that influence whether or not you are eligible for a nurse maternity leave (paid or unpaid) include the following:

Employment history and job longevity
Annual income
Expected duration of time off
Job security (whether or not your position is secured when you return from maternity leave)

Do PRN nurses have maternity leave?

Generally, contract PRN nurses do not have paid maternity leave. Keep in mind, however, that most PRN/per diem clinicians earn higher hourly wages than W-2 employee nurses because they don’t have traditional employer benefits.

Also, there are plenty of non-salary benefits that can help nurses navigate personal and family responsibilities.

2. Make a budget

While it may seem basic, making a budget is one of the most important things you can do before welcoming your baby.

To make a budget for maternity leave, you should calculate how much you earn on a monthly basis and the amount of time you expect to take off. You should also know how long maternity leave is in your state.

For instance, say you are a PRN nurse who makes an average of $4,000 dollars per month. You expect to take 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. Twelve weeks is approximately three months long. Unexpected costs should also be calculated into your budget. So, add a line item to your calculation for unexpected costs at around 10 percent.

A three-month unpaid maternity leave for a PRN nurse may appear like this:

$4,000 (average monthly income) x three months (12 weeks unpaid) = $12,000
$12,000 x 10 percent (unexpected costs) = $1,200
$12,000 x $1,200 = $13,200

Total savings needed for maternity leave: $13,200.

This is a basic calculation for unpaid maternity leave. It’s also crucial to take into account where your baby will be delivered and if you are covered by health insurance. You also need to understand whether or not your job offers any benefits or monetary coverage during your leave. All these factors will influence your maternity leave fund.

3. Cut back

Little day-to-day expenses can add up. So, while we are not saying you have to nix your Starbucks fix, it is advisable to be more conscious of everyday luxuries you are classifying as “necessities.”

Let’s take a look at a few examples of extra things you are spending money on:

Take-out: Treat yourself to Chinese food, a Chipotle bowl, or whatever cravings you have. Just don’t go overboard. You can do this by cutting your take-out bill in half. So, if you normally order out twice a week, cut back and only order out once a week. Cutting back and accounting for these costs in your budget can help you stay guilt-free when you decide to indulge a little.
Coffee: Did you know that women spend about $2,327 per year on their coffee habit? It’s no use denying how much a pick-me-up from a pumpkin-spice latte can do for a pregnant woman’s spirit. Instead, we suggest cutting down your trips to buy a coffee by half, just like you did with your take-out bill. Add this extra money to your maternity leave budget for after your baby arrives when you will really crave a cup of strong coffee.
Subscriptions: Pro-Instagram filters, video editors, recipe makers—have you checked lately which apps you are subscribed to? Some of these apps can cost an average of $33 to $86 per month—gasp. Cut back on your subscriptions and add these savings to your maternity leave budget. Keep your cherished apps, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime; your hormones will thank you.

Tip: If you have an iPhone, you can check your paid subscriptions under your settings. On an Android phone, go to your Google Play Store and choose which subscriptions you want to cancel. From there–voilà–you may have saved yourself at least a few hundred dollars before you go on maternity leave.

4. Buy new with intention: Buy used when you can

There are so many high-tech baby gadgets and accessories for babies these days. For instance, the Snoo Smart Sleeper Bassinet, which rings in at $1,700 dollars, is regarded as one of the best-quality bassinets on the market. For nurses who can afford this, it’s probably well worth it.

However, for nurses on a budget or just always out on the lookout for a deal, there are plenty of lower-priced and quality baby products available. Amazon is a great place to start, as well as keeping an eye out for discounts that are made especially for nurses.

Bargain hunters can utilize places like Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark, or GoodBuyGear. These websites and apps all offer incredible discounts on baby products and apparel.

Splurge on a few baby products that you find are worth it. Go ahead and buy a Ralph Lauren cozy onesie or two to debut your baby’s six-month mark on Instagram. For the rest, invest in new baby products with intention, and buy used when you can. This will save you a lot of money by the time your maternity leave is here.

You and the baby matter most

At the end of the day, under the pile of baby blankets, toys, and a stash of diapers, there’s the incomparable bond you will form with your baby. This is all that matters after your baby is here and safe next to you.

As a nurse, you can ensure that you will have time to develop a healthy attachment with your newborn by making sure finances are the least of your worries. If you work as a PRN nurse, you may have the advantage of taking more time off or intermittently picking up shifts.

Make sure to budget accordingly. While money isn’t everything, it’s a tool to help optimize the time you can spend with your baby while on maternity leave.

Are you a PRN nurse looking to make some extra money before going on maternity leave? Connect with a local healthcare facility today and pick up a PRN shift in your area today.

Sources: