New job

[Himynameisheynurse]

Hello again,

I have another circulating nurse question. I applied for a job on the surgery unit mid May, and have since found out that I am pregnant. I had an interview with a nurse recruiter last week, and next week I will have an interview with the periop manager, along with a peer interview with the staff. If all goes well, I would be about 15 weeks pregnant by the time I start. Obviously I wouldn't have been applying for jobs had I known I'd become pregnant ( it was a surprise), but given the fact that I will be showing pretty much by the time I hit the OR, I feel like I should let them know when they offer me a job. The issue is, I know technically they can't discriminate, but they are willing to train me (I have no OR experience), so I feel like not saying anything is deceptive. I have not had any issues with the pregnancy so far, not even morning sickness, and am very healthy so I don't expect any issues. What would you do? Or what would you want a new hire you were working with to do?

[CamillusRN, BSN]

Something to keep in mind: depending on the type of surgeries you'd be circulating on, you may be exposed to radiation from imaging equipment. If you can get assigned to cases that won't involve x-rays and the like, I don't think your pregnancy would be an issue until closer to the Big Day. I would disclose the pregnancy and notify the manager of whether you plan to go to part time after maternity leave or if you would stay full time - that will more likely have an impact than the pregnancy. 15 weeks pregnant when you start shouldn't be an issue.

[CamillusRN, BSN]

Something to keep in mind: depending on the type of surgeries you'd be circulating on, you may be exposed to radiation from imaging equipment. If you can get assigned to cases that won't involve x-rays and the like, I don't think your pregnancy would be an issue until closer to the Big Day. I would disclose the pregnancy and notify the manager of whether you plan to go to part time after maternity leave or if you would stay full time - that will more likely have an impact than the pregnancy. 15 weeks pregnant when you start shouldn't be an issue.

So ... since posting this, I have experienced the maternity lead - no I'm not expecting :-). It was the only lead available at the time, and it is HEAVY! Not sure how expecting mothers can tolerate the weight plus a baby in the womb - I can only imagine the back pain!

[cvor nurse]

So ... since posting this, I have experienced the maternity lead - no I'm not expecting :-). It was the only lead available at the time, and it is HEAVY! Not sure how expecting mothers can tolerate the weight plus a baby in the womb - I can only imagine the back pain!

I have been in the OR for 30 years. Worked through my pregnancy with no problems, and yes, I did wear "maternity lead" during x-ray cases (scrubbed and circulating) without any issues. Your ability to handle the OR during pregnancy depends entirely on your health, your willingness to put up with some discomfort, and your desire to do the job. Several of my co-workers have gone through pregnancy in the OR as well, and most of them had no issues either. Now as to your ability to be hired -- will depend largely on the hiring party. Are they willing to train you (usually at least 3 months) only to have you go on maternity leave shortly after finishing orientation? Do they have several other candidates who have more experience than you? While disclosing your pregnancy is never a requirement, I am of the belief that honesty is the best policy and giving your potential employer that information implies that you are up front when it comes to potential conflicts. For your own information, however, do know that you will be absorbing a lot of information and will probably forget some of it during your maternity leave, so your dedication to taking notes and reviewing them while you are off will go along way to making you more competent when you return. Good luck!!