ER nursing and pregnancy...

kmoonshine, RN · Jan 19, 2009

I don't have any personal experience to share, just some advice.

I'd be uncomfortable at triage if I was pregnant, just because you don't know squat about the patients who come to the desk. What if they had some weird contagious disease? A few years ago I attended a conference on ED nursing, and I was told that pregnant nurses should NEVER be at triage due to the risk of infection transmission to the fetus - but I've never seen this rule followed. I'm sure we can thank management for that!

And while I'm sure that your coworkers are happy to help out - you really need to take it easy. What would you do when you can't find an extra hand to assist with repositioning a patient? Or what if a code comes in, followed by another - are you ok with doing CPR when you are 5 months pregnant? Or what if you are caring for a patient who is having a miscarriage - how would that affect you?

If I were you, I'd consider taking the GI position. Decent hours, no weekends...the ED will always be waiting for you to return.

Kylea · Jan 19, 2009

I have to agree with the previous poster. I have just found out I am pregnant (congratulations, by the way!!) and my MD put me on a lifting restriction due to an unrelated back injury. I was trying to work around it, but unfortunately I found myself in situations that weren't safe for myself or the patient. Take care of yourself and your baby for now. The ED will ALWAYS be there :) Good luck!

RedCell · Jan 19, 2009

Don't go to GI unless you need the money, you would probably be bored with the job requirements compared to the pace of a good ER. I had a few friends that did that and the job didn't last for any of them longer than 3 months. Work as long as you can or until you are instructed to stop. Get help with all the physical crap. Go home and pop out the kid. You will be back in the ER in a few months. I am sure that all of the compliant, kind, truly sick and downtrodden that we call patients will be waiting for you upon your return with smiles on their faces.

DixieJeanne · Jan 20, 2009

Being pregnant is not a disability, well in most cases. I've worked with many pregnant nurses, and been one myself and most of us could work well into the pregnancy. It's also amazing how NICE the patients get once you start showing. You'll actually have the best patients in the world for a few months.

JD228 · Jan 21, 2009

i personally have not been pregnant and working in the ed but have several co-workers who have worked up to the day they went into labor. they did triage if needed, they got help from their co-workers with lifting/contagious patients. i think they went into it with the attitude that they were going to do it and everything was going to be fine. other nurses have been pregnant and you would have thought they were the only person to ever go through it. i think it is really your attitude and out-look. i am sure you will be fine, what ever choice you make.

nkochrn, RN · Jan 21, 2009

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I worked right up to a few days before my DD was born. I work in a rural setting, where we don't usually have more than 1 or 2 ER's if any. My job probably isn't quite as fast paced as yours from the way it sounds, but we also never know what we're going to be dealing with. I think working helped me stay more physically active during pregnancy. I don't know that I ever had to ask for help lifting, my coworkers were very good to me;) Patients are extremely nice to you when they notice you're pregnant too. I am 16 weeks pregnant and plan to work right up to the end again, but have noticed that I'm a lot more out of shape this pregnancy.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Every pregnancy is different and not everyone gets "too big to move."

I worked a very physically active job up to the day I gave birth to my children. I went into labor with one at work, and the other when I got home from work.

Just do what is natural to you, and obviously, use common sense...if you feel pain or tugging when lifting, just stop and get assistance.

bjaeram · Jan 22, 2009

I work in an ER similiar in size to yours. I have a two year old and a four year old and worked in the ER with both up until a day or two before I was due. Just make time at home to relax and you will be fine. Nurses are willing to help with the lifting and such. Even the patients and family members offer to do more of it on their own just by looking at you. Unless your doctor says otherwise or you run into blood pressure problems or something there is no reason to give up your job. The last couple of months may be hard but they are just a couple of months. ER work will be nothing compared to being a new mom!

TennNurse · Jan 23, 2009

Congrats! I am 31 weeks pregnant today, and in an ER with 50 or so beds as well. Once you get to where you start really showing, you will be pleasantly surprised by how little you are allowed by your co-workers and family to do. My patients have been extremely nice, much more patient than usual, and the rest of the staff is great about lifting help.

That being said, 2 other nurses in our ER (who are now safely delivered) were put on bed rest at about 30 weeks-- that never-ending pace was causing lots of contractions. I've had the same, to the point where I missed work one night to go to L&D for fluids and terbutaline (sp?). My doc took me off 12-hour shifts and put me on 8s, and it has made a big difference. Would this be possible for you? Also, I find that if I make a point of sitting down for 15 minutes with my feet up every 4 hours, it keeps the Braxton Hicks to a minimum, both in terms of quantity and discomfort.

I'm glad the GI job is there for backup, but you may very well be able to work something out with the ER. They are medical people, after all, and understand that pregnancy is a self-limiting condition and not permanent. No one has ever accused our management of being flexible, but even they were able to see the wisdom in working with me as opposed to having me taken off work altogether.

Good luck, and drink lots and lots and LOTS of water. It really does help, and no one begrudges a pregnant woman her bathroom time. :1luvu:

Larry77, RN · Jan 24, 2009

I had one co-worker who had her water break right in the nurses station...and she kept up right to the end. Also had two recently who worked right up to the end...it can be done. Unless you have a high-risk pregnancy that requires bedrest there is no reason why you can't work...like a previous poster said pregnancy is not a disability. I am amazed by you women...if I was pregnant I would be couch ridden after my 1st trimester and 2 years after giving birth...lol.

tigerlilyinci · Jan 24, 2009

My comment is about the same as everyone elses. There is a lot you can do but defenitely listen to your body and what it tells you. As for the lifting and trasfering that goes beyond you we find at my hospital you can usually find someone else to help or to do it for you. And if things get bad enough there is usually a job that is a little more stationary if absolutely necessary. For example nurses on restriction at my hospital are sent to triage patients so they do not have as much strain.