Excited about ER internship, but just found out I'm pregnant. Should I take the internship

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Recently I applied to an ER internship program and got it! Today I just found out that I am pregnant. My internship will last 6 months and then I will be on the floor on my own for 2 months before I have my baby. I am so sad because I don't think this sounds like a workable scenario. I have worked on a med-surg-oncology-tele floor for the past two years and recently have been desperate to try something more intense. What do you think? Would it be crazy to think this ER internship might work out despite the pregnancy. Thank you for your insight!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Emergency Nursing forum for more responses.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Worked with 2 nurses now who got pregnant during their ED internships, has worked out fine for both of them.

What are your concerns?

The pace?

Possible exposures?

Stress?

If the ED is what you want, then go for it

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Why would you think it would not? Life always throws us the unexpected and you learn to roll with it. Now you have two great things to look forward to.

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The internship will not be unsuccessful due to your pregnancy. I have seen new grad nurses do it. Give it a go and see what happens. Use your maternity leave to be with your child and get your CEN so things stay just a bit fresher. Be ready for a few bumpy days when you go back.

Congratulations!

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:bookworm::):cat::x3:Thank you for your replies!
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Worked with 2 nurses now who got pregnant during their ED internships, has worked out fine for both of them.

What are your concerns?

The pace?

Possible exposures?

Stress?

If the ED is what you want, then go for it

Thank you LoveMyBugs for your input. My biggest concern is the disappointment those who hired me may feel when I take off six weeks at the beginning of the busy "season". Another concern would be not being able to do my fair share, such as lifting a patient or performing CPR when I am 7 or 8 months pregnant. I know the ER is a crazy busy place and I had hoped to exceed expectations rather than be someone who makes the burden greater on others.

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If you want to feel like you are doing your share, do more of the things you can do. Most of our baby incubators do not deal with people who are violent if we can help it, aren't lifting a ton, etc. but they can help check in an EMS, wipe a but, or get an ekg done. Divide and concur. Ask for help when needed, and offer help at every opportunity. If a nurse is busy and they get an EMS, go check it in. Line and lab, do an assessment, hook me up to a monitor, grab a bag of fluids, and do an ekg, or whatever it is that needs done. People will appreciate it so long as you hold the standard of care and aren't a liability when doing these things.

Then ask for help if you need it.

Come back in 6 weeks and kick some butt! Six weeks isn't even two schedules. Go get it!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Six weeks is a drop in the bucket! It's one schedule period in many ERs. They'll be glad to see you back. :) I know many ER nurses who have worked pregnant and done just fine. Good luck!!

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I have colleagues that got pregnant while working in ER and they done just fine.good luck

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Wow, two awesome projects at once! Rock it.

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Specializes in Nursing Faculty, ER Nurse.

I worked ER pregnant until 39 weeks. Coworkers made sure I didn't so any heavy lifting or deal with shingles or coxsackie or aggressive psych patients. Other than that, it was work as normal! Don't turn down a wonderful opportunity!

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