Help!!! Pregnant and on the job search

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2011

My friend is a nurse manager. Off the record, she has revealed to me that she does not offer full-time employment if she knows the nurse is pregnant because it will create staffing problems later on down the line. She will only offer PRN/per diem employment if she is aware that the nurse is pregnant. After the baby is born and the nurse has returned from her leave of absence, my friend will make a subtle suggestion that the nurse change her status to full-time.

GM2RN · Apr 18, 2011

While I understand and applaud your desire for full disclosure, I think it's risky. If there was a way for you to be certain that they would not use it as an excuse not to hire you, I'd say go for it, but we all know that is not the case. Since you have no obligation to disclose this information prior to a job offer, I wouldn't tell them.

2011NursingStudent · Apr 18, 2011

You should not say you are pregnant, that has nothing to do with your qualifications. By law, pregnancy should have nothing to do with whether or not a job is offered, so don't make it a reason for them not to offer you the job.

MJJFan1, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2011

I understand you guys and my husband also said don't say anything but you know I still have to go through 90 days probation during which time that hump will start to show itself. Im scared karma will bite me in the ass and they will find reasons for me to be let go. You guys know how people can be. UGH this is so nerve racking!!!!! I'm going bonkers but I am seriously reconsidering telling.

bubblymom373 · Apr 18, 2011

Guess I will go against the flow here. I would tell about your pregnancy at the interview. I would say exactly what you wrote here. If the interviewer likes you she will hire you pregnancy or not. Whatever you decide best of luck and congratulations on the new baby!

tyvin, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2011

I was also in the same situation as you 14 years ago (found out the day before the interview and hired to start work 1 week later) anyway.............I wore a lab coat when I started to show and they didn't know a thing until the day I went in to deliver my work comp papers going out at 7 months due to Braxtons (different system back then). The staff thought I was gaining weight but it was the patients that would comment that I must be with child.

They were so shocked and I was told that they would have never hired me if they had known. As it was they had to save my position (union) and 6 weeks after the birth I returned to a full time position with no changes.

I admire your commitment to the truth and some employers ask women (even though that's a big no no) and I understand why you want to be honest. Just know that your chances of being hired are slim. Who knows; it may happen. Why don't you wait since you seem to be in a secure place right now?

Yea go and tell the truth; it could be a refreshing change. Will keep cyber fingers crossed. Who knows; they may tell you to come back after the baby is born.

LACA, BSN, LPN, RN · Apr 18, 2011

At 12 weeks, I think you should go ahead and tell them everything you mentioned in the OP at the interview. If you were only 5 or 6 weeks, you could probably get away with hiding it until after being hired, but if you hide it now, and in a couple of months it's obvious that you were pregnant enough to know at the interview and didn't tell, that's going to come across as dishonest, and I don't think it would look good. Just my opinion, but I would go ahead and tell them.

FLmomof5 · Apr 18, 2011

It is illegal for them to ask. I went on a job interview while 6 mo PG (no it was not for a RN position) and I did NOT tell them. It would be illegal for them to terminate you just because you are PG.

Consider, some ladies do not know that they are PG at your level of gestation. I simply wouldn't mention it. Period.

I am former USAF. I never took 12 weeks off! The most was 6 for my first and ONLY because I had a certificate of non-availability. My 4th child...I was back at work in 2 weeks. My 5th...back at work after just one! (Then again, I didn't have C-sections.)

wannaB RN · Apr 18, 2011

It's a tough call! It's kinda like your darned if you do and your darned if you don't. Good luck! Do what your heart tells you and you won't have regrats! I will tell you that back in 2003, I had just recieved my CNA through a nursing home. I was already hired on since they was the ones that trained be to be an CNA. A few weeks after I started to work, I found out I was pregnant. I loved being a CNA and I knew that eventually I would step up to becoming an RN. Well, I noticed that everytime I would lift a pt I would start cramping. Called the doctor and I was advised that since I was "new" at being a CNA, but body was not use to the everyday motions and that I was at risk at having a miscarriage. So, whenever I needed physical help with a pt, I would ask for help. This didn't go over well with other CNA's and I was let go becuase I was unable to lift. I was heartbroken! Infact, I cried in front of the manger who let me go. I was willing to do anything/everything except lifting. Anyway, my point is. It might be in your best interest to tell them upfront now, so they don't have some lame excuse to let you go later.

Vanillanut, DNP, RN, APRN · Apr 18, 2011

I would *not* tell them. Your chances of being considered are greatly reduced. Considering you know your situation better then anyone, and you seem to be organized in terms of getting things back on track post-baby- so just leave it at that. Once they find out, then you can tell them you're not interested in insurance, etc and share your plan. But on the initial hire, I wouldn't.

Some might think this as dishonest, but I disagree. You're simply not sharing a medical condition which might (but legally shouldn't) interfere with you getting the job. Being dishonest would be lying about your quals/exp. If you had any other medical condition (for example, you knew you had to have elective surgery in 7 months, but already had a plan post-surgery, etc) would it change things?

The managers won't look at this as dishonest; they might look at it as smart, considering most people would do the same thing if they were in your shoes.

Try to buy loose scrubs..... fortunately scrubs are probably one of the easiest work uniforms to hide pregnancies in. :) Well for as long as possible anyways.

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2011

If the bump shows (which is soooo darn cute!) I woudln't say a darn thing- although how hard is that gonna be, so excited I bet!

The best scrubs for pregnancy is the Cherokee maternity wear. I tried Landau and others, which fit something horrible.

Good luck!