I have a question that has been burning my mind for quite some time now. Right now, I am 5 months pregnant with my first child and my husband and I are in the process of relocating to Phoenix, Arizona. I plan to use out all of my maternity leave where I currently work in New York, and upon returning to work, begin fresh in Arizona. Now... here is where my dillemma begins...
There is an RN Career Fair taking place in Arizona on September 17th. By then I should be a little over 35 weeks. I want to try and have at least a position or two lined up for when I am ready to re-enter into the nursing workforce, and I am very anxious to attend this fair for that particular reason. I know there are recommendations as to when a pregnant woman should stop flying, etc., but I need to know what you all think.
Should I attend a career fair while visibly pregnant? Would potential employers look at me like I'm crazy? What are your views/ suggestions?
I personally, wouldn't. If you weren't showing, I would say go, but at 5 months, you probably are, and employers know that with a new baby comes alot of doctor's appointments, illnesses, etc.
Plus, every HR rep for every hospital will be there.
I really think that it's sad that in our society today, being pregnant is considered such a bad thing. Other countries offer better maternity packages for expectant families such as a year's paid leave but not this country. They want you to go back to work within 2 months of having a baby. I find it rather ridiculous. No company or hospital should be discriminating against pregnant women.
I say go. It wouldn't hurt to have job lined up. Just be honest with the HR reps. I'm sure they've hired more than one pregnant nurse.
If you want to get a better feel for how it might go, why not cold call a few prospective employers without identifying yourself and ask the HR department some questions? They will either be cagey about answering you or you might get some good info that will help you make a decision.
Personally, I would wait until after baby arrives if it were me, because I don't want any potential disqualifiers to be there. You never know what is going through someone's mind. It would be horrid to lose out to someone similarly qualified just because she wasn't in your condition and you would never know the reason why you weren't chosen. But you might want to take the advice of those who are encouraging you and find that you get the position of your dreams. A hard decision to make at this point. Good luck. Let us know how things come about. And congratulations on your coming addition to the family.
If you want to get a better feel for how it might go, why not cold call a few prospective employers without identifying yourself and ask the HR department some questions? They will either be cagey about answering you or you might get some good info that will help you make a decision.
That sounds like too much trouble for no reason, IMHO.
Personally, I would wait until after baby arrives if it were me, because I don't want any potential disqualifiers to be there. You never know what is going through someone's mind. It would be horrid to lose out to someone similarly qualified just because she wasn't in your condition and you would never know the reason why you weren't chosen. But you might want to take the advice of those who are encouraging you and find that you get the position of your dreams. A hard decision to make at this point. Good luck. Let us know how things come about. And congratulations on your coming addition to the family.
If they don't want you because you have a small child then you don't want to work for them anyway. Most employers understand when your child is sick, a few don't. You don't need that type of employer.
I guess I'm not understanding the logistics of this job fair. Isn't a job fair in a huge auditorium with booth after booth of perspective employers and hundreds of people looking at the booths? How is someone even going to specifically remember you and that you were pregnant? Don't folks just walk by, ask a few questions and pick up written info? Can't you just go to gather info and then if you want to, apply later?
and my husband and I are in the process of relocating to Phoenix, Arizona. I plan to use out all of my maternity leave where I currently work in New York, and upon returning to work, begin fresh in Arizona. Now... here is where my dillemma begins...
RN1982
3,362 Posts
I really think that it's sad that in our society today, being pregnant is considered such a bad thing. Other countries offer better maternity packages for expectant families such as a year's paid leave but not this country. They want you to go back to work within 2 months of having a baby. I find it rather ridiculous. No company or hospital should be discriminating against pregnant women.
I say go. It wouldn't hurt to have job lined up. Just be honest with the HR reps. I'm sure they've hired more than one pregnant nurse.