Pregnant and no experience

[rvzohfeld, BSN, MSN, RN]

Hello everyone!

I have so many questions these days, so I'm a brand new nurse. I graduated last December and I went to work right away as an ER nurse, I worked for 3 months until the day I got sick and find out that I was pregnant, also I had to give my resignation letter because my husband got transferred (military) 2 states away. Hoping to get a job in the new state, I was unable to do so due to a severe case of hyperemesis, now I am 5 months pregnant and barely recovering from my first months of pregnancy. Unable to drive around yet on my own... With student loans kicking in... In a new place, where I get the "you don't have enough experience"... Response. Debating myself whether I should just wait until after I have the baby... And the go into a serious search for a job. But I wonder what if they say you have not worked in a year.. Etc and then make it even more difficult for me to get a job.... So I got my BSN and I have goals to continue with my education, certifications etc, but I noticed that experience is the main requirement...at the same time I wonder how do I get experience if I don't get a chance to prove that I am capable to do my job as a nurse.

any ideas? What to do? I miss working... I don't know where to turn... Anybody?

Thanks.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

When I got pregnant it was a total surprise. I have epilepsy, depression & anxiety. So I had to go off of all of my medications then switch & try to find medications that would work. All of this with the normal pregnancy pains.

I was working at the time I found out. Unfortunately I ended up resigning from that job due to complications of my pregnancy. It ended up being a good thing since I was put on bed rest a couple times later on in my pregnancy & induced at 38 weeks.

If your pregnancy is getting better, then I would keep applying for jobs, any jobs. Don't just apply at hospitals, apply anywhere. But if your pregnancy is going to be unpredictable & you'll end up calling in a lot then wait until after you have the baby.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

It is hard.. While it is "illegal" to discriminate against pregnancy, I doubt too many places are going to want to hire a woman who is 5 months into her pregnancy. It sounds like you have already struggled thus far so maybe enjoy the next few months and then really start looking once the baby is here (of course if you guys can afford it).

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

One of the main requirements in nursing AMONG nurses is RELIABILITY. You can be the greatest nurse of all time, but if you are calling out sick or missing work then somebody else is taking the hit I cant even count all days after 12 hours and all I want to do is leave and my relief either is late or calls out which creates a mess.

Until you are 100% don't even bother looking. You will end up being fired for not showing up and that will really hurt your future chances at working.

I am a bit confused..you said they tell you "you don't have enough experience" (which isnt an excuse..it is reality. You have minimal experience). Then later you say "what if they say I haven't worked a year". So have you or have you not applied? Are you assuming they will say that or has it actually happened?