Advice!? Graduating and... PREGNANT!

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Hi there! I am graduating in a little less than three weeks and will be 7 months pregnant. I am so excited as my husband and I have been waiting to start our family but was wondering if I could get some advice on what others think I should do. Apply for jobs or wait until after I have the baby? I just feel like it will be hard to get a job when employers know that I will be taking leave for a new baby. Plus I wouldn't be able to work until I take the NCLEX which would put me closer to 8 months pregnant. Thanks for your input!!

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I would wait until you have had the baby.

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Congrats on your pregnancy!!

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Specializes in Ambulatory | Management | Informatics.

I was pregnant when I graduated. I was about 24 weeks and we were moving a significant distance the day after graduation. One of my instructors gave me invaluable advice - she told me no matter what take the NCLEX before the baby came. I did that and never regretted it.

I didn't work until my DD was almost 2. No one can tell you if trying to get a job before baby is the right choice or not, but you may want to think about maternity benefits. You're most likely not going to get any maternity pay as you'll only have been working a short time before baby. Also, you'll basically need to re-orient after you return from baby leave. It may be wise to focus on NCLEX and baby and then try to get a job when baby is a few months old.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I would focus on studying and taking the nclex before the baby and then wait until you have the baby and are looking to head back to work before applying for jobs. If you are thinking you will be 8 months pregnant when you take the nclex, you will be about 36 weeks and could go into labor just a few weeks after that. You most likely wouldn't even get through orientation before needing to go on maternity leave.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

You can apply for jobs after you graduate, but list your date of availability as 12 weeks or so after your due date. Many areas are over saturated with new grads and it can take awhile to find a job anyway. With some luck, you'll have a job lined up after you give birth. Congratulations!

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I agree, take the NClex and wait on the job.

Congratulations!

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Specializes in Psych, Peds, Education, Infection Control.

Congratulations on graduation and the new baby! I agree with the posters who say wait. That way, you're not tied to a "we expect you back by this date" and you have time to enjoy your little one before getting overwhelmed with the new-grad learning curve and orientation at a new job. I definitely would take the NCLEX - and then you don't have to worry if they need to re-fingerprint you or one of those silly things that delays getting a license issued, because your job isn't waiting on it. Best of luck to you!

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