advice...i'm pregnant!

lmarie1 · Jul 26, 2009

Congrats on being preggers :)

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 26, 2009

I am scared, excited and just want to know that my job is safe!

Congratulations!

You can't be fired for being pregnant--that is illegal.

You CAN be fired if you're not doing your job, though. If you're so tired from the pregnancy you're chronically coming to work late, if you're taking excessive hours off because you've got morning sickness or for medical appointments, or if you spend more time in the restroom yacking than you do taking care of patients and others have to cover for you--in those cases, the employer may have a good case for letting you go due to your lack of performance, same as they would have against a non-pregnant employee.

So be prepared to work as hard as everyone else, and don't expect the pregnancy to be an "out" for you...except that they obviously can't assign you to certain patients and/or tasks. You'd be surprised how many pregnant women I've worked with who felt that their pregnancy justified nine months of slacking on the job. Unfortunately for some of them, it ended in their termination because they didn't produce work.

I don't know when you should tell them about the pregnancy though. They're going to figure it out soon enough...if it were me, I'd wait to tell them until I was 4-5 months along, unless I had to make it known earlier for safety reasons. But it's never happened to me; hopefully someone who has been there and done that will be along to give you better advice :)

melisgood · Jul 26, 2009

when should i tell my employers? Can I not take care of certain patients even this early on in pregnancy? What if I just tell my preceptor? Who are you suppose to tell?

melisgood · Jul 26, 2009

I'd like to wait 4-5 months before telling them. Other than obvious procedures such as xrays and chemo, I'm trying to remember exactly which patients I cannot take care of? I know no TB. What about other communicable diseases?

melisgood · Jul 26, 2009

also....what about insurance coverage. I am covered now under my husband, however he is considering changing jobs in the next couple weeks. I am eligable for insurance after 1 month or employment. Should I wait until then to make a doctors appointment? Will this pregnancy be covered?

coffee4metech · Jul 26, 2009

O man Congrats ......But you are in for a ride bring plastic grocery bags and stuff them in your side pockets of your scrubs ...and if ya have to hurl your covered !!!!! I was sick for 5 months I was estatic when I found out but after 2 weeks I got so sick ....... I know everybody is different but do expect some morning sickness prepare for it. As far as your emloyer tell them when you are ready and CONGRATS again and Goodluck!!!

NursinginProgress · Jul 26, 2009

Hi Melisgood and congratulations on having a baby! It's a tough time right now so try to take it easy and not worry about anything...(I know ... easier said than done.) The first couple of months are very crucial in a pregnancy and any questions regarding your insurance coverage should be discussed with your health care provider and its totally confidential. I'm only speaking from a former manager's perspective. I'd personally wait until I was atleast 9 - 12 weeks pregnant prior to publicizing my pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my son at my former job working for the airline, I was stressed out something fierce and I just called my insurance company and spoke to a rep and asked. But,if you feel uncomfortable and worried that your employer will be notified ... call the basic 800 number. I'm sure someone would be glad to help. Once again congratulations on having a baby and even more on being a nurse grad and finding employment in today's economy! :up:

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2009

Congrats on your pregnancy!

They can't fire you for being pregnant, but.....just so you know, you're not covered by FMLA until you've worked 12 months. I would set up a discreet meeting with someone in HR and ask about your company's maternity leave policies. Typically you're allotted 6 weeks for it, but it all depends on their guidelines.

Good luck!

melisgood · Jul 27, 2009

so, i'll still get the 4-6 weeks of for maternity leave, just not paid right? As long as I know I still have my job.....I wasn't expecting this. Thrilled, but I was going to get back on my BC pills this month!

nursejoy23 · Jul 27, 2009

You lucked out and got a job and then found out your pregnant. I'm a new grad looking for a job and I'm 7 months. They can not fire you for being pregnant, you've already been hired. You may have to save your sick and personal leave for maternity leave but you shouldn't have to worry about them firing you because your pregnant (it's illegal). Good luck with your new kob and baby. I know it will all work out. Enjoy this time and congrats!!

beth66335, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2009

also....what about insurance coverage. I am covered now under my husband, however he is considering changing jobs in the next couple weeks. I am eligible for insurance after 1 month of employment. Should I wait until then to make a doctors appointment? Will this pregnancy be covered?

Questions you should consider...what insurance does your husband have? What insurance does your job offer? If you go to a Dr under your hubbies insurance do they take the insurance your job offers so you can stay with them? You should get prenatal care as soon as you can so if your husband changing jobs would make that hard maybe he could stay where he is until you get insurance? Or would his new job offer insurance that yours does? As far as pt care I would avoid TB pts and people with shingles. Just my :twocents: , and congrats...on the job and the baby!