How/when to inform work of pregnancy?

[medsurgnights]

I am a new nurse, and have been working as an RN for only 6 months. I just found out that I am pregnant this weekend, and about 7-8 weeks along, and completely unplanned. I am really worried about informing my employer about this because I am so new and will need some time off in July/August I guess. How have other nurses handled this discussion and at what point in the pregnancy? Thank you so much for any advice.

[EmerNurse, BSN, RN]

I usually waited until about 3 months - where I'm not showing yet but will be soon - also by that time the pregnancy is usually truly confirmed. Unless you're really ill with morning sickness before then, my advice would be to wait til 3 months. But you might also want to find out what the "standard" has been where you work - have others had kids on your unit, while they were working?

[dragonflyRN]

I am thankful that I didn't have this problem, I had my kids when I was in school. They do hire pregnant nurses. They may not get a paid leave....but they have a job when they come back.

[RADONC-RN]

Depending on where you are working , you should tell your supervisor soon. I tend to protect my fellow co-workers a bit when I work for the simple reason that I don't want them to be harmed in any way ie: having an abusive pt,or hanging hazardous drugs.

[TazziRN, RN]

Whether or not you choose to let it be public knowledge now, you need to tell your NM asap, for you own protection and that of your baby.

[NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN]

I told my manager ASAP after my apponintment with the midwives @ 5 weeks. I'm also on a floor with chemo patients and pts getting radiation implants. It was no problem at all. As for the rest of my coworkers, I let it come up on an as needed bases and let the rumor mill take care of the rest. I didn't want to make a big public service announcement.

[mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP]

For safety reasons, you need to let your NM know probably as soon as possible especially if you handle unsafe drugs or have the potential for some unsafe patients. As far as everyone else, you can tell them when you feel the time is right.

[medsurgnights]

Thank you for the kind advice!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Most of my jobs have required women to inform HR and management of their pregnancies anytime during the first trimester, but preferably as soon as possible.

[nurseangel47]

I would personally wait until the first trimester has passed. That golden window of opportunity nature has for deciding for us whether or not the fetus will in fact come to fruition. Sorry, don't mean to sound negative, or gloomy and I DO congratulate you, my dear heart, on being pregnant! Babies are a touchstone of God that I happen to adore with all my heart!

I just feel (a bit of a superstition) that anyone shouldn't tell anyone else at work or otherwise, about a pending/new pregnancy until that first trimester is officially passed on the ol' calendar.

Now, after that first three months, I say go ahead and let NM know so that he/she can be ruminating over several things regarding the upcoming months of scheduling. As you are well aware, that will be her/his biggest concern (aside from when and if you are coming back after baby is born)

and must be dealt with in some fashion. As well as contacting HR, which would probably best be handled with you informing them as well as your NM at or about the same time after first trimester.

Good luck and take extra good care of yourself. Have a wonderfully joyous

Christmas!