Pregnant nurse needs advice

[hjk213]

Hi.

I need some advice regarding my pregnancy. I'm in 30week of first pregnancy and working at med/surg unit at acute hospital.

To make it short, I had a pt, POD2 laminectomy, who wanted me to get her up by myself. I told pt due to my pregnancy I might not able to fully pull her up, getting her out of bed by myself. She complained me that if I can't do I should stay home not working as a nurse. I reported it to my manager and asked her if is not allowed to reveal my pregnancy to my patient and the answer was no. So the next day I got doc's note for light duty.

I turned the note 12/1 and told by employee health nurse just to wait for my manager to arrange my schedule. I resumed my work for 2 days after I spoke with my manager.

12/8, I had a phone conversation with one of the HR person who was off for vacation on 12/1, she stated she did not aware of me being at modified duty and there are some missing paper works for modified duty so I had to be removed from my work schedule. That day I had to leave after I hung up the phone and 2 days later I filled out the paper because another person who deals with paper work was off for 2 days. I did what I supposed to do and HR screwed paper work process and they want me to take the responsibility of missing paper works.

I missed 3 days of work since then. Now my manager on vacation so I don't know how long I have to wait for the clearance from HR. and no one but I am responsible for the whole mess.

At this point, what should I do? just wait for them clearing me to go back to work? or do some action? Because I still can perform my job tasks but hospital made me off due to my pregnancy and missing paper works.

[JBudd, MSN]

Surely your manager left someone in charge of covering her while she is gone. Ask the nursing supervisor who in charge of your department. Also, there is nothing to stop you from following up with HR yourself, you don't have to wait for your manager to return.

What paper work are you missing? Get HR to tell you exactly what they need, and go get it yourself (showing up in person means they can't put you on hold, and the doctor's office can hand you things rather than just waiting for a return call or email).

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Anytime you complete paper work, keep a copy for your records, scan signed paperwork and email it to human resources and your manager, that way if the recipients cannot find the documents, you can just resend it to them with proof of the original date it was sent.

All the appropriate paper work needs to be in place before you can work in an accommodated position, you have no choice but to wait until you have been cleared to work. Your statement "I can still perform my job tasks but my hospital made me off due to my pregnancy" contradicts the second paragraph of your post.

[Fiona59]

Well, at 30 weeks your pregnancy must have been kind of noticeable to your patient.

Haven't you made arrangements with co-workers to help you in situations like this? Every unit I've ever worked on, we helped out our pregnant coworkers with lifts and transfers.

Just gather up your paperwork and submit it yourself and keep copies and names and dates of who you contacted.

You haven't really got that much longer to work, so start gathering all the documents you need for mat leave now.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Yes, as a nurse who works in an OB office, I ask you to please do not put off having your provider fill out your FMLA paperwork until the last minute.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Yes, I'd contact HR and find out exactly what you need for paperwork. Otherwise if you just sit around at home waiting for them to act, you're eating up your leave time that I'm sure you'll want to spend w/ the baby.

Going forward, just a tip pregnant or not (and I've worked through five pregnancies)-- If I don't feel comfortable transferring a pt by myself for ANY reason, I simply tell them "I'm going to find a second set of hands and we'll be back to help you." If I'm pregnant, I don't use that as a reason. If I'm not, I don't use the fact that they are 300 lbs and weakened as a reason. I simply advise the pt that I'm going to get help first, and then I leave to go find that help. That way, unreasonable pts don't have the chance to lecture me about what they think my physical abilities should be.

I'm wondering though, if this pt is one who typically would be a 2-assist transfer? I mean, could a single nurse/CNA who does NOT have a 30-week belly safely transfer her alone? If not, I don't see why you'd need to bother with all this hassle... If the ONLY issue is that she complained, and you're able to do the same 2-person transfers that everyone else does? I can see if you're not able to help w/ transfers at all needing modified duty... Of course, your physical capabilities are between you and your OB provider, but I hate the thought of you taking time off that you hadn't planned on taking off, if the only issue is this woman's complaint?