Soon to be a new grad and found out I'm pregnant

[Harlowe]

I will graduate in May with my RN and I just found out on Christmas Eve that I am 4 weeks pregnant with our forth child. This is a nightmare since my other three children are 5 years old and under. This was not at all something me and my husband planned, and it obviously couldn't come at a worse time. I'll be 5 months pregnant by the time I start interviewing for jobs and I know they can't legally not hire me because I am pregnant, but I know they can easily decide there is someone else that is a better fit (because I am pregnant). I know legally they aren't suppose to take pregnancy into consideration, but it happens every day. I know I will have to be up front about this pregnancy with anyone I interview with because it will be very obvious early on. My questions are, is it better to go ahead and interview and try to land a job and work until I have to have the baby, and cross my fingers during the six weeks I'll have to be out (I'll have to have another c-section) that they won't replace or fire me? Or should I graduate in May, take the NCLEX, and wait until after September to start looking for a job?

[Libby1987]

If they hire you, they won't want to replace you, they'll be depending and expecting you to come back. The biggest hesitancy/risk to the employer usually comes from new moms deciding not to come back to work, delayed return and/or request for reduced hours.

Maybe you can confidently say and assure them that this isn't your first rodeo and you already have your whole childcare and being away from home schedule worked out and you will only be taking the minimal maternity leave required.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

No pregnancy needs to be unplanned. Take time to do an inventory and figure out why you placed yourself in this predicament...there's a reason deep down. Secondly, all I can say is that one of the best nurses I ever hired was 5 months pregnant when hired. At the same time I hired another applicant that wasn't pregnant and I thought She would be the better and brighter. Boy, was I wrong. She was the airhead of the two.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

It's not going to hurt to start applying. Someone might see past your pregnancy, plus you might not be showing as much as you think. Certain clothes can help in this area. Regardless, if they do hire you it is likely they would hold your position since they took the time and money to already invest in you. I wouldn't mention my pregnancy during the first interview and I would make a plan for how soon you could expect to be back to work since you won't qualify for FMLA, and unless you already have a short term disability insurance plan, it is unlikely you could get one now for income.

I too had an "oops" baby, but in the end the timing is working out just fine. It happens - BC fails, condoms break, etc. It's life.

[Emergent, RN]

Your life sounds stressful! Congratulations on making it through school with such small ones.

One thing about parents is that they are motivated to keep a job. I'm a landlady, and I much prefer a married couple with or without kids to rent from me.

Unmarried people generally have less stable lives. Someone who made it through nursing school with 3 kids under 5 yrs old obviously has an ability to stay organized, and a good support system.