[jazzinitup]

Hey everybody! Although I posted a few replies in NCLEX forum I am new to these boards so the question might've already been asked, if so,could you please direct me where to go and do some reading..

I am a new grad, just passed NCLEX a few days ago and now..I don't know what to do. Good news come in packages, that's how it works for us(me and my dh) all the time hehehe. The thing is, as I was getting ready to take the test, about a week and a half before that, I found out that I was pregnant. Financially we are very unstable, only my dh works at this time and my daughter is attending preschool, my goal was to prep for NCLEX, take the test and start looking for jobs... now I am not sure if the hospital will hire me..or do I just not tell them that I am pregnant? i am about 6 weeks along now and for the past few days I've been picking my brain as to what to do. We desperately need some money, as bills are swallowing us, don't have any medical insurance now either, must find work... But I am so afraid they are not going to hire me now or if they do, how do I let them know that I am pregnant?

ANY advice would be greatly appreciated...Please,please, pretty please..

[luv4nursing]

I dont think u are obligated to tell them u are pregnant. Many ppl dont start to tell folks they are pregnant until they make it thru their first trimester. You probably wouldnt be covered under the hospitals insurance since it would be pre-existing, but I dont see any reason why you couldnt work. Lots of women work nearly all the way through their pregnancy. Congratulations on the upcoming new edition to your family!

[jazzinitup]

luv4nursing
Thanks for the reply, i really appreciate all the advice. I don't know why I feel as if I am going to let them down or something, hehe. Almost like lying and I never lie, cause first of all I feel really bad and secondly you can always tell if I am am hehehe. With my first pregnancy I was working right until about a week before I gave birth, so keeping my fingers crossed that this one(pregn.) doesn't go any different form the last one. R u serious about insurance? Wow, OMG, I have no idea what to do, we surely can't aford all the medical bills. I moved here from Canada, where for 25 $ a month I was covered for everything and anything..so I am all new to all this medical insurance staff here...Pregnancy would count as preexisting? Holly molly, what are we to do..

[nurse educate]

Don't tell them. As you already know, they cannot use it against you, but you don't want to give them any ammunition. Obviously, when you are hired and go for your physical, it'll come out. But it is not a condition that makes you unable to work. Your due date is not for many months, I am assuming, so you have plenty of time to get acclamated to your new job, and to decide if you even like it.

[Aggie2000]

Pregnancy may or may not be considered a pre-existing condition (depends on the state, hospital and insurance company). The thing that hurts you most right now is that you don't have insurance. They are more likely to cover you if you already had insurance prior to being eligable for the hospitals plan.

I know in my former career (prior to nursing), the company I worked for would cover pregnancy no problem. We hired someone once that was 7 months pregnant and had no insurance at the time of being hired and they covered the delivery and prenatal appt. once whe was eligable after 30 days of employment.

So, my advice (take or leave it) is to not tell them during the interview. Once you are hired, you can tell them at the physical. At that point, they really can't retract their offer because your pregnant. Plus, they need to know because there are things you can't do while pregnant at a hospital.

Congratulations! My philosophy is that God only gives you what He knows you can handle. So, take this as a sign from God that he believes you are ready for this adventure and embrace it.

[jazzinitup]

Nurse educate and Agiie2000- that you very much for your advice! I think you r right, that's what I am going to do. So, pretty much decided not to mention anything until before I get hired(hoping it happens soon ,before I start showing). Will keep my fingers crossed for med. insurance. Just wondering though, approximately how much does it cost to have a baby if you are not covered?Does anybody know?

Originally Posted by Aggie2000

My philosophy is that God only gives you what He knows you can handle. So, take this as a sign from God that he believes you are ready for this adventure and embrace it.

This is exactly how I feel, Aggie! It was meant to be. Interestingly enough I found out about pregnancy day after I visited church(I am russian orthodox, so our Easter was end of April), so I tell ya, definitely a sign from God.)

[lynzmaj]

I got pregnant last June, graduated in August, moved halfway across the country and started a job as a new nurse in November when I was 5 months along. It was totally obvious I was pregnant, but was hired in L&D with no problems- the insurance also covered everything once I was eligible in 30 days. So, don't fret too much- check out your options, apply, interview, and say nothing until you have been presented with an offer. Once you have been offered the position, discuss your concerns with the unit manager and check with HR about health insurance benefits. Then you can decide. Don't forget the majority of nurses are women who are or have at one time been of child-bearing age. Many of them are mothers- they should understand. If they aren't willing to work with you and your pregnancy, then that should be a red flag about working for that unit/facility at all. Take care and CONGRATS on both!!