A new hire expecting a very unexpected surprise in 9 months! HELP!

It may not be FMLA, but will you accrue paid time off based on the hours that you work? If so, all that I can suggest is that you try to save up all of that. I have never had to take a leave like this, but I worked extra hours during all of my schools breaks through nursing school, accruing more PTO. Then I would use it to only have to work 1 or 2 days a week, but get paid for 3, when I was in school. I don't know how many hours you accure if any, but just an example: if you work 36 hours per wk, and plan to take off 4 wks, is it possible for you to accrue 144 of paid time off before your due date? Probably not, but it's just an example of how you can start planning. Good luck to you

Well 16 days is at least 3 weeks, depending on how many days per week you work, right? If you work 3 days per week that's like 5 weeks! I agree, try picking up extra shifts. Have only been working there for a short time, you probably don't have a strong friendship with anyone there. I was blessed to work on a close unit where so many employees would donate their CLB (our name for PTO) to other employees in need.

Can you explain a bit on how the "donation" works? thank you!!

Well where I worked it was rather simple, however it depends on the policy and process for where you work. Many places don't even have the option, but we were fortunate to. Basic if somebody had a ton of CLB/Paid time off, especially those who have been there for a long time, and have acculumated months and months worth of time, they could donate it. We had someone out for a few months when she had a death in her family, someone out when she shattered her leg, someone out going through treatment for breast cancer, and they were able to get through with their own CLB in addition to the CLB donated by their coworkers. FMLA is nice, however some people need more, and they need it longer, or before it kicks again, I guess (I don't know much about FMLA myself.)

If a generous employee had extra CLB (combined leave bank) they filled out a form stating that they wanted it to be transferred from their bank to a coworkers bank, submitted the form to HR, and the employee in need will have more paid time off in their bank that they can use, than they would if it wasn't donated to them.