Ideas Need! Preg and unable to stand long at work....

Nurses General Nursing

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I am pregnant, possibly with more than one, and the doctor told me I should try to rest and keep my feet up. I told him I'm a nurse and that would not be likely he said he could write me a note for work to work fewer days or hours. I can't afford to take a pay cut, and can still use my mind as far as I'm concerned. Does anyone know any types of jobs (or companies) where I could do desk work or anything involving less standing? I need to keep working - those bills don't take a break when I do!!!

Thanks for any ideas you can give me:)

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Is short and long term disability part of your benefits at work?? I would look into that. If you change jobs, will you be out health insurance for a short time until the other kicks in?? Gotta consider that too.

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Congratulations on your pregnancy!! How about working for insurance company(BC/BS, Aetna etc)? Two of my friends who are nurses work for them and enjoy it. They did take a paycut but benefits are better. It can be stressful as most of the time, they are on the phones dealing with physicians,hospitals, clients and so on, but is isn't that bad physically. Nursing is a tough job and add on being pregnant, look out!! Unfortunately, employers have little sympathy, as do coworkers. Found that out first hand just last week. I work for a long-term facility with 5 wings of 30 pts each. One of the nurses who is having a difficult pregnancy and had a real hard first trimester just came back to work. The supervisor assigned her to "a lighter wing", to which another employee(who's been there 2 months), copped an attitude, stating, "that was her wing" and she was unwilling to let this pregnant nurse take that assignment. I guess when she was hired they told her that she would have this wing etc....To make a long story short, the pregnant nurse gave her that wing and went on to the other wing. Now, if it was me, I would of even volunteered switching with her. What's the big deal? Needless to say that our work environment has become bitter because of this(and a few other situations regarding new nurse). Some people have no empathy at all. I heard both sides of this issue with the new nurse telling me, "if she can't handle being pregnant and working that's her problem"......OUCH!! So, at work lastnight, the other nurses didn't talk to her and have the attitude, "wait until she needs help".......

Got off track alittle, guess this brought up vented up feelings. I hope that you find soon. And that's another issue of finding a job when you are pregnant. Though it's against the law for future employers to ask or discriminate on pregnancies, it does happen.

The main thing is for you to have a safe pregnancy. It's so hard in this day and age where we don't have the liberty of staying home, lol............Good luck and keep us posted.

JUDE

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I can think of a few jobs that may be less strenuous but I do have to agree with KC Chick on this.

Especially if you really like where you are currently working.

Being pregnant is considered a disability by the law. I'm pretty sure that your employer has to at least try to work with you.

Maybe there are others out there that have been pregnant and were able to work out something with their employers.

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Specifically what area do you work in? What about something like a phone nurse so you wouldn't have to be on your feet?

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Specializes in ICU.

*this user secretly hopes that the new nurse mentioned in post #3 develops sciatica and swollen feet when her time comes.....*

I don't have any witty suggestions for you..but do take care of yourself first and foremost. Listen to your Dr...

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:confused:

During my 7th month of pregnancy, my doc put me on strict bedrest for PIH. Working FT in a busy grocery store, on my feet lifting heavy boxes was out of the question. When I phoned my insurance co fully expecting to receive temporary disability I was blown away when they said "pregnancy isn't an illness".

Really pissed me off!

Cancelled the insurance......

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Originally posted by Furball

:confused:

During my 7th month of pregnancy, my doc put me on strict bedrest for PIH. Working FT in a busy grocery store, on my feet lifting heavy boxes was out of the question. When I phoned my insurance co fully expecting to receive temporary disability I was blown away when they said "pregnancy isn't an illness".

Really pissed me off!

Cancelled the insurance......

No but PIH is. Those insurers can be a PITA!

Now Tiggy, at this point in time do you wont to change jobs and keep that job after you have your baby?Now would be a hard time to do that. You already have something on your plate.

Your employer must give you light duty if prescribed by your OB. Depending on your area it could be charge w/o an assignment, tele tech, maybe unit clerk?

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Congratulations.

Watch out for those varicose veins, l was working and standing all the time at work.

Ended up having to get them operated on, and l was only 21.

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Originally posted by RNonsense

*this user secretly hopes that the new nurse mentioned in post #3 develops sciatica and swollen feet when her time comes.....*

LMAO, that was the funniest thing I have ever heard......Thanks, needed a laugh:roll :D

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

It isn't the law for disability to cover pregnancy. You can use your FMLA first and then if you are out over that you can go to disability, but you have to use your FMLA time first. Then you only get 6 weeks off for a vag delivery and 8 for a C/S. Some hospitals are set up for pregnancy to be covered under short term disability. Not all do it. The hospital my DH works at does allow them to use short term disability, but the one I work at doesn't. They also do not have to lighten your load...you are expected to carry on. We, the staff, do cater to our little preggies :)

I would check with your human resources to see how you can do this. Where I work it is the above. We also can use intermittant FMLA and shorten our work week/ hours, but if you use it up and have to go to medical then you get a short leave after pregnancy....the mandatory 6-8 weeks.

I hope things work out for you! :)

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All I can tell you is take your doc's advice and move to a less strenuous job while you can. I pushed myself, then ended up with preeclampsia and strict bedrest the last month...if I'd taken action sooner it may have headed this off. Luckily, had a healthy baby, but learned a hard lesson...nursing is tough and not all pregnancies can take the punishment. Good luck and hope all goes well with you and the bub!

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