Recent DNP-FNP graduate, interviews approaching and pregnant. Advice?

Specialties NP

Published

Hello all! I recently graduated from a BSN to DNP-FNP program last May (sooo glad that is over). Currently, I am happily 15 weeks pregnant with Baby #1 :yes:. Right now I work as a Per-diem RN at a hospital, so a fulltime position is desperately needed for better benefits for family and I. Luckily, I have two FNP interviews approaching within the next two weeks.

My questions are, when should I disclose this information to my potential employers? Has anyone here been in this same predicament? How did everything work out? Was getting FMLA/maternity leave an issue?

I am really hoping that everything works out and if an offer is made, they would be understanding with my current situation. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Typically, when you hire someone, you make plans for them to work and you expect that if they were going to be taking alot of time off fairly soon, that they would tell you about those plans. If they didn't I would loose all trust in that individual and feel like they mislead me. I would not want to start a job and a career with an organization by deceiving them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Sadly, I have heard several recent stories here of major local employers either refusing to hire pregnant applicants or rescinding offers after disclosure. It's deplorable.

I hate to say to not disclose but it may be an uphill battle if you do :(

Sent from my iPhone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I wouldn't let a pregnancy deter me from hiring a candidate I really wanted on board, but I'd be cheesed off if I found out after hiring her that she planned to take 2 months off and didn't mention it. Everyone in our group has a favorite tie of year to be off. I take off 10 consecutive weeks in the summer. One of my colleagues takes off the 6 weeks from Thanksgiving to New Years. Another takes two weeks off every 3 months to fly all over the work for scuba diving, without fail. I would certainly hire someone who happened to be pregnant if we were given full disclosure and she voiced a clear plan for her maternity leave and a reasonable timetable for return to work after delivery, given they were the applicant I'd hire even if she weren't pregnant. Ditto for a Dad who was planning paternity leave (I always took paternity leave with each of our kids).

Look at it this way, the practice is either family friendly or it isn't. If they wouldn't hire a pregnant woman, they aren't going to be too happy when the wee one gets hand foot and mouth disease at day care and you have to take off to stay home with them. lol. Meaning, they aren't going to be supportive of the other needs of your family.

Here, we put family first for all the employees, but failing to disclose the fact that you will be taking 2 months off would be a hanging offense. I seriously doubt we'd keep her on through even the 6 months probationary period.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

BlueDevil thank you for the feedback. I 100% agree. In response to the previous comments, I do not intend to mislead a potential employer. My question was "when" should I disclose this information. During the interview? If I get a job offer? When I come in to discuss a contract? (as mentioned this would be my first NP position, unsure of the amount of steps, conversations and paperwork before I actually start!)

All in all, so true!...An employer who is understanding regarding my pregnancy and solely considers me based upon my merit, is a place I want to be for a while! So maybe this is the test when searching for my ideal employer.... :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It just so happened that I relocated during both pregnancies due to my husband's transfers and both times I am certain that disclosing it cost me jobs.

I would strongly advise you wait until after you are hired.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

UPDATE: Thank you all again for your comments and encouraging words. I was grateful to have TWO job offers presented to me! With the one I accepted, I disclosed my pregnancy as soon as I they told me they would like to bring me on board. Their first words were...congratulations! I am so thankful to be a part of a practice that understands family life exists outside of work. What a great Christmas gift. :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I see that the OPs situation is resolved favorably. However, everyone should know that it is blatantly illegal to make hiring or other employment decisions based on pregnancy status. Personally, I would advise anyone who is pregnant to not disclose this information at the time of interview. It is none of the employer's business and is not legally relevant. And I think we all know that employment decisions are illegally made based on the fact of pregnancy all the time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
UPDATE: Thank you all again for your comments and encouraging words. I was grateful to have TWO job offers presented to me! With the one I accepted, I disclosed my pregnancy as soon as I they told me they would like to bring me on board. Their first words were...congratulations! I am so thankful to be a part of a practice that understands family life exists outside of work. What a great Christmas gift. :-)

Congratulations on your new position. Would you mind sharing the area (peds,family practice,etc) in which you will be practicing. Again congrats. What a wonderful Christmas present!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not at all! What's interesting is that I got THREE job offers :). The one I choose was an internal medicine/family practice group. Close to home and would work wonderful with baby. They were all accepting of my pregnancy. I start next month! Very excited.

In the end, I think the best time to disclose this information is when you get a job offer/discussing benefits, etc. They were all very happy for me and it was no problem with me being pregnant. During the interview, you and your potential employer should only be discussing your skills, the position and the decision to hire you should be solely based upon your merit.

Thanks again all!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Internal Medicine.

Great thread Froggie. It serves as great advice to women (and even men) that are expecting children and will need some fairly significant time off. When my wife and I found out she was pregnant, one of the first things I did was inform my future employer. He was incredibly happy for me and had no issue with it. Like all things in life, being honest and forthcoming usually yields the best results. If it doesn't, you're likely in a bad situation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Great thread Froggie. It serves as great advice to women (and even men) that are expecting children and will need some fairly significant time off. When my wife and I found out she was pregnant, one of the first things I did was inform my future employer. He was incredibly happy for me and had no issue with it. Like all things in life, being honest and forthcoming usually yields the best results. If it doesn't, you're likely in a bad situation.

I agree with you 100%. Again, congratulations Froggie and good luck with your new job. I am so glad everything worked out well for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment