change job when newly pregnant?

[treeye]

I have worked at my hospital for five years now and will graduate with my FNP in 2.5 years (part-time). I have applied for ICU in the adjacent university hospital but was told to work in their step down first. I also just found out that I am 6 weeks pregnant.

The reasons I want to change job are that

1. I will learn so much in large ICU and I may want to teach later if I decide to get my PHD. I may need the ICU experiences in a larger hospital.

2. My current hospital is struggling. Pt to nurse ratio increases, nurses are quitting, and morale is so low.

The reasons I want to stay at my current job are

1. just pregnant. As the low man in the total pole, what if they try to give me a chemo pt or pt with radiation implants? what if I have to go on leave earlier? I decided that I will go to work in ICU regardless, but I am not sure about step down.

2. I'm graduating in FNP in 2.5 years. I may be happy just working in a doctor's office.

3. The road to the other hospital is treacherous in winter, do I want to drive there?

any advices appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[HyzenthlayLPN]

For me, the pregnancy is the biggest issue. You will not be covered by the FMLA if you change jobs because you need to work for a year for that employer for FMLA to apply so your new employer (unless there is a state law to cover you) has no legal obligation to give you leave/hold your job when you go on maternity leave. Do you have short term disability coverage/insurance? Will that insurance follow you to the new job?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

PP is absolutely correct re: FMLA implications.

As for your concerns about working while pregnant - discuss these with your physician. Pregnancy is not a disability, so you can't expect any special consideration at work. However, if you follow all safety precautions, you'll be OK. In ICU's I worked in, it was not unusual for pregnant staff to negotiate to 'switch' tasks with co-workers if there were any concerns of difficulties.... e.g., you'd volunteer to go pick up the blood or start an IV in exchange for your co-worker helping with the C-arm procedure (dang, those lead aprons are HEAVY & not built to accommodate pregnant bumps at all).