Pregnancy and job offers as a new grad

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all,

I would like opinions on a situation, preferably from those who have been in this situation, or managers who have dealt with it.

If a woman is pregnant, and applying for nursing jobs (as a NEW GRAD), how should she handle the discussion of the pregnancy with potential employers? I can't think of a reason to NOT apply for jobs as a new grad just because of a pregnancy. If the person anticipates being able to complete the assigned orientation and work load, is there any reason not to accept a job offer if given one?

Also, if it were you, once you had a job offer, how would you approach the subject with the nurse manager?

Obviously one would not want to appear sneaky, or like they were trying to hide the situation. It is a good thing. It is a temporary thing (pregnancy, not parenthood ;). And if the person has the right mind set, it will not impede a successful employee.

I'm just looking for ideas and opinions. Thanks!! :D

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Being a pregnant new grad in this economy is not easy. I personally know of 3 that got hired as new grads and pregnant. The thing is that none of them were far along that physically showed. None told them they were expecting and got hired.

I personally don't think it's pertinent to tell at the time of interviewing. I know that my coworkers were upset that pregnant new nurses were hired but it is none of their business as well.

Just keep in mind that being pregnant is not a disease and you will be expected to hold your own when it comes to performing tasks and keeping up.

Good luck!

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Specializes in NICU.

There is no reason to mention a pregnancy during an interview, and it is illegal for an employer to ask you about it. If you were qualifed for the position prior to the disclosure of your pregnancy, being pregnant shouldn't change that.

If a job is offered, accept, then depending on how far along you are, speak with your manager about the pregnancy. You may run into a tangle with maternity leave off (a company has no obligation to give you FMLA time if you haven't been with them for a year), but many companys will give you 6-8 weeks off for medical leave after birth. There is no garuntee thogh. We have had many nurses take maternity leave with less than a year on my unit. It's never been a problem. Of course, unless you are interviewing on my unit, you might find things very different where you work.

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You two share the same thought I do. I finished nursing school while pregnant and it did not slow me down a bit. There were some times that I felt puny but I just kept right on trucking and never asked for any special treatment. The only thing they wouldn't let me do is take patients with dangerous diagnoses (shingles and CMV). This is not my first child, it's my third. I know every pregnancy is different but my prior two went fine and I REALLY want to start working in the field. I feel like I am doing myself a disservice by waiting until after the baby is born. I have received a promising email from the nurse manager that I interviewed with a couple of weeks ago and I am hoping to get an offer today. Sooo...I am keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks for your opinions!! I really appreciate it!

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Oh, and I don't currently work for this company, but I worked for them for a year (5/10-5/11) as an extern. I'm wondering if FMLA would apply since the only reason I don't currently work for them is that the externship ended with the end of nursing school?

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.
Employees are eligible for leave if they have worked for their employer at least 12 months, at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and work at a location where the company employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles. Whether an employee has worked the minimum 1,250 hours of service is determined according to FLSA principles for determining compensable hours or work.
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/fmla.htm

If you worked the minimum amount of hours (which may be hard to meet, considering you were in school) I think you'd be set to go talk to HR about the details once youre offered a position.

Other than that,. Just remember FMLA is unpaid, regardless of qualifications. Good luck to you! I know this cant be easy on you.

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My best friend is pregnant and due in sept. She graduated in may and received multiple offers even with her pregnancy being as obvious as it is. When asked about the pregnancy plans, she offered to extend her 2 year contract to account for her maternity leave.

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Specializes in trauma ICU,TNCC, NRP, PALS, ACLS.

I have been pregnant twice and each time I was in the processess of applying for a new job. I did not tell them during the interview and both times I got the job and they have been very supportive throughtout my pregnancy.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

It is illegal to ask about your pregnancy status or family life. If you meet qualifications, and they like you--you should get your job. However, like others have said, there is nothing to hold your job as FMLA if you've been there for a very short time. Externships don't count because that is part of the school, and not the hospital system itself.

Personally, it's not good for our area to hire pregnant people--although we have them--because our patients come out confused, combative, and it is so fast-paced, it stresses a non-pregnant person a lot, let alone someone who is pregnant.

So, if I get a chance to peer someone for hire, that would be a big NO to me..

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

IDK I would be leery about hiring someone that is pregnant, although that is rather hypocritical as I'm currently 6.5 months pregnant myself. The thing with hiring pregnant new grads is that our hospital offers an extended orientation process, you are often on orientation for 4 months or so, and then if you work a month or two on the floor then take a few months off for maternity leave and come back, many of them need so much re-education (our floor seems to constantly be changing and there are always new things to learn) that they are almost unsafe taking a full patient load when they come back. Additionally, a lot of our new grads who were hired for nights decided they no longer wanted to work nights and left shortly after returning from maternity leave.

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

I interviewed as a new RN while pregnant and was not hired. One interview I was just starting to show (my pregnancy was not mentioned by either of us) and the other, I was visibly showing. I absolutely believe that my pregnancy had a large part in my not being hired.

I started interviewing again after my son was born and had no problem landing a job. As someone said, its a tough economy for new grads, and even tougher if the new grad is pregnant.

I hope your situation isnt the same as mine, because it really stunk, but I just wanted to give you a heads up. Best of luck!

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I recently graduated from nursing school June 3, 2011 and am expecting my first child August 9. Like you I too wanted to find a job after completing my nclex exam, but figured being that this is my first child, I decided I wanted to use up 3 months of fmla time from my nurses aide position and breastfeed. It is a tough decision and remember these times are very important for you and your child and you cannot take back the time you werent able to spend with your child. On the other hand I understand the financial aspect of it and I wish you the best in your pregnancy and your journey in motherhood. :)

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