Accepted acute rehab job, then took a pregancy test!!

[heathert_kc]

I was really happy to get offered a job in an acute rehab hospital, as I wanted something more acute. But the week before my orientation I failed to have my monthly and took a pregnancy test and sure enough...POSITIVE! I have been married several years with no children, as I just finished my RN in December and my husband is set to finishing nursing school (his 2nd degree) Dec of this year, we are excited!

The excitement died down a bit as it is very early in the pregnancy, and all I can think about is how the director who interviewed me talked about how busy, fast-paced and crazy it is. Plus looking at the information they gave me, the insurance will not go into affect for another 2.5 months and 2-3Xs what a pay now in LTC and will only increase when I add a baby, my current employer is Catholic funded so insurance covers whole family: you, spouse and as many children as you can have with no extra cost. Plus she said they have a lot of isolation patients and there is heavy lifting, so I have a call out to my doctor about that. But I am suddenly less excited about this job offer, Is it do-able?? Safe??

If I wait until early next year I won't be a new grad any more. Then just as this realization came to me I was called about a telephonic contract to hire position for a medical research company, I interview on Friday. It is not exactly what I want but is less active and stressful. I do not need either as I currently work in a great snf that is not too hard and I have been there nearly 3 years, mostly as an LPN, though I am starting to feel burned out there. I have yet to hear back from any large accute hospitals I have applied to, and I can not bank on that happening in the next two months, before I start to show as I have been applying for the last 4 months.

I am just really confused and don't know what to do?? How would I even take back my acceptance of the position?? can I request part time or PRN if my OB says it is okay??

I really did not want to tell anyone as it is so early.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

First, congratulations on the new baby! That's so exciting! (I'm due in early September with my 1st, so I totally understand working while newly pregnant.)

You can leave a position at any time, if you are an "at will" state. If you haven't signed a letter of acceptance, all you have to do is talk to you employer and say that, due to personal reasons, it's not a good time for you to be changing jobs.

li

Insurance is definitely a big factor to consider. How much will you have to pay at the time of delivery? What is your co-pay?

Another factor to consider is maternity leave. Are you eligible for FMLA through your current employer? Do you have vacation time or PTO saved? You will not be eligible for FMLA if you change jobs now. (You have to be employed for at least a year). You might be looking at only 6 weeks of unpaid maternity leave if you change jobs, versus 12-18 weeks of paid or partially paid leave if you stay.

As far as safety, I wouldn't worry about it being unsafe for you to work there. Lots of nurses work on busy units while pregnant. You will have to be careful with lifting, but as long as you use proper technique and don't over exert yourself, you'll be fine. You can request part time or PRN, but it's unlikely they will give it to you if you were hired for full time. Also, is there really any difference between two days per week and three days per week? You'll end up paying more for insurance, or not getting benefits at all if you are part time or per diem.

You obviously have to make the decision that's best for you and your family. If it were me, though, I would stay at my current position until after I delivered and came back from maternity leave. Then I would start applying for new positions. That way you go through your pregnancy with full insurance, can take a nice long maternity leave, and then pursue a new job.

[heathert_kc]

Thank you, Congrats to you as well! You made some great points and gave me a lot to think about.I have never used FMLA and haven't done much research yet, not sure why but I was thinking it required a minimum of 6 months employment, but you are right it is one year. So I think the office/phone job is out. My current job does not offer paid materity though luckily I was smart enough to opt for short term disability, which give me 60-70% pay for 8wks (vag delivery) or 12-13wks (c-section).

I do live in an 'at will' state, but I want to be fair to them. I mean, nursing is a small world. I was hired because they are adding one nurse to each unit, so they need at least two full time RN for each day and night, plus some. I was considering at least asking her if they might be able to utilize me one shift a week or something, while keeping my current job, which only requires me to work an average of 30 hours per week in order to be considered full time and get full benefits. So that I would still be an opportunity for me to get a little experience, a foot in the door, and a little extra something on my resume. Of coorifice there is no telling whether they would go for that but it is worth a shot, right?

[MauraRN]

Do what is best for you, hubby and baby. Nursing jobs come and go, so do what is going to work best during your pregnancy. Don't risk your health for career, you may find the perfect job to fit your life after the baby is born.

[Simply Complicated]

I think in this situation, honesty is the best policy with this new facility. You may not have wanted to tell anyone this early, but if you are still going to consider the position, talking to the hiring manager about it may be your best bet. Also, to consider as far as FMLA, is not only the pay but the fact that you are NOT guaranteed your position when coming back from maternity leave. If they feel it is necessary for them to fill that position in your absence, they have a legal right to.

If you don't want to take the full time position, if you are honest with them that you are unsure of taking the position now that you are pregnant, I don't see anything wrong with asking about a part time or per-diem position. I agree, I wouldn't worry about the workload itself. As long as you are ok being on your feet, nurses work pregnant all the time. With my first, I worked on a full care neuro surgical unit, with a heavy post CVA population. We were also a complete care hospital, no CNA's. As long as you are doing things properly it's really not a big deal.

Good luck to you!

[heathert_kc]

That's what the doc said. 'Lift is okay, just do it properly and get help when needed; No being superwoman. You will probably be more careful with any of the isolation pts than the other nurses considering, just NO CMV pts.' Yes, that is what I ment I am not gauranteed a job after maternity leave, which is a scary situation, new baby and bills to pay but jobless. I don't mind moving on in time from any position if it is necessary or a better deal for me and my family (that's just the way of the worlds anymore) but would hate to be forced to and feel the pressure of needing to find a job right away despite being a busy new momma.

Thank you for your input. I am going to talk with my hubby, think I will give them a call tomorrow and just go to this interview for the telephone based office gig, you never know...

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Congratulations Momma! What a wonderful addition to your family!

Although every woman feel trepidation at carrying another life.......Women have been getting pregnant for a long time, and do just fine. It is perfectly acceptable to feel anxious especially of this is your first but many females in the nursing profession have been pregnant and worked.....trust me (as long as you have an uncomplicated pregnancy) you will be fine. I left Trauma flight when I was pregnant, mostly because I knew eventually I wouldn't fit , but I continued to work right up until delivery in the Level 1 trauma ED. I just stayed away from the combative drunks and psychos. You try to avoid things that could affect your baby like chicken pox/ measles but if you are using PPE and following universal precautions you'll be fine. Wear a mask and wash your hands. Lifting is fine if it is OK with your MD. Women work in fields, haul water, climb mountains and give birth and some without medical supervision.......and babies are born everyday! :hug:

There are restrictions on FLMA if you change jobs. There are specific time requirements that must be fulfilled for you to qualify for ANY employer and those that employ under, I believe 50, is exempt from FMLA. Insurance is HUGE!!!! as it is NOT cheap to give birth....what if you have a complicated pregnancy and have to be hospitalized?? What if your baby is born early and needs some observation time in the NICU? What if you need a section? A "simple" delivery can cost in total some $50,000 dollars. So I would take it very seriously. The preexisting clauses usually do not apply to pregnancy. Most all employers do require so-payment of benefits that increases for families. what is nice is that once you pay for family benefits it doesn't increase with every child.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/finalrule/NonMilitaryFAQs.pdf

Do what is good for you. Talk to your hubby. Acute experience is hard to come by. Talk to your family, your parents your siblings. I had to beautiful babies 11 months apart......hint breastfeeding IS NOT birth control. congratulations :kiss