small dilemma

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone. I am a nursing student and I graduate in Dec and I already have a nursing job on the unit I currently work on. I am really excited to have this opportunity but there is just one thing, I just found out I'm pregnant. I am happy about being pregnant as well but I do not know whether I should tell the nurse manager this or wait a little while. Has anyone else been a new nurse pregnant at their first job and how did it work out? What do you all think I should do about telling my manager? What about the patient load and taking breaks?

Take the job ! I am sure they will work with you. Yes I would tell her right after I start cause you already work there anyway. Glad Luck, Congrats !!!!!!!!

Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

As far as patient load and taking breaks you will be entitled to exactly the same as everyone who is not pregnant. Either you can do the job or you can't. Many people work while pregnant so that won't be a problem, I wouldn't say anything until you actually start, maybe wait another month or so after that. Best of luck and congratulations!

Specializes in geriatrics.

Unless there are medical reasons why you should not work, I wouldn't say anything, or expect different treatment. Many women work in various fields until they are 7 or 8 months pregnant. I've worked with a few aides and nurses who worked right through their pregnancies. It isn't a big deal.

Everyone keeps asking questions about pregnancy and telling the managers and working. The thing you should know is that you cant be discriminated against because you are pregnant. It is noones business that you are pregnant. It is even against the law for anyone to even ask if you are pregnant in an interview or on a job. So take the job, and when the time comes I am sure they will see that you are pregnant.

Whats the issue with wanting to tell the Nurse Manager, HR, or whoever else all your business i.e. i am pregnant, i have traffic tickets, i am getting married, etc...

Thanks everyone! I didn't expect different treatment , I was just looking for advice on any experiences on how a pregnant nurse handled their patient load and work shifts and how difficult it was for them to adjust. I fully expect to be treated the same as everyone else.

I was pregnant when I took a new job as an RN. I didn't tell the manager at the interview because I didn't know yet that I was pregnant, but found out about a week later. I was afraid of losing the job so I never said anything. Obviously, everyone knew eventually. My orientation was just changed around a little bit and I worked extra hard to prove that I could handle it. I always felt a little bad for not saying anything, but it worked out fine. There were other pregnant women that I worked with that whined and took a break every 5 minutes. That doesn't go over well. So just keep up the same pace you're used to and it will be fine.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
Hello everyone. I am a nursing student and I graduate in Dec and I already have a nursing job on the unit I currently work on. I am really excited to have this opportunity but there is just one thing, I just found out I'm pregnant. I am happy about being pregnant as well but I do not know whether I should tell the nurse manager this or wait a little while. Has anyone else been a new nurse pregnant at their first job and how did it work out? What do you all think I should do about telling my manager? What about the patient load and taking breaks?

Congrats on the job AND the pregnancy!!! If they've already offered you the position, I can't imagine they'd recind the offer b/c of a pregnancy---lots of legal issues there!!

As far as patient load and breaks, they should be the same as they are for any nurse who isn't pregnant---no special perks there, LOL!! Unless your MD ordered light duty or something along those lines, I'd imagine

Specializes in ICU.
Thanks everyone! I didn't expect different treatment , I was just looking for advice on any experiences on how a pregnant nurse handled their patient load and work shifts and how difficult it was for them to adjust. I fully expect to be treated the same as everyone else.

Your patient load and breaks will be the same, although you may be running to the bathroom more often! I started in March, moved to my home unit in August and was pregnant in January. My Nurse Manager basically said "YOU TOO?" because 6 of us were pregnant at the same time!

My coworkers were very good to me. I did IVF for my DD. I expected no special treatment AT ALL. I was always the one to volunteer to help someone else, the heavy lifter on the unit, the one who ran all over (I worked nights) However, I was blessed to work with a great bunch of people who did not dare let me boost a patient or strain myself too hard, or do compressions....... I lucked out.

At 35 weeks, I couldn't do it anymore. My legs were swollen, my back killing me..... when I went ot get ready to clean my vented pt, I turned around and my dear coworker was doing it FOR me with the Aide. ( I did get ot repay her with her 3rd child) When I saw someone else doing my work, i told my manager that was my last day.

You'll be fine. There are a lot pf pregnancies given this is a female dominated field.

Specializes in Geriatrics.

You will be fine. keep in mind that pregnancy is not a disability!!

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

You should probably tell them because certain patients with chemo etc you shouldn't care for

I hope you will get ANY breaks... I never do:) Good luck. Please watch out for the nasty exposures than can happen in a hospital.. portable x-rays in the next room, etc.

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