how does your nursing school deal with pregnant nursing students?

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Curious, since I am currently pregnant and in my final semester of ADN program. My due date and final exam date are right around the same time.

Last semester, this was not a problem. I asked for no special favors, never missed a class and never missed a clinical. This semester, I was told I need a note from my doctor saying I can participate in clinicals. Fine, I can get that.

but i wonder, why should I have to? I had my physical at admission, I'm healthy. pregnancy is not an illness nor a disability. No other students who have health issues are made to get doctors notes that i know of. schools that recieve federal funding, as mine does since it is a public college, are prohibited from discriminating against pregnant students, and would hope that my school is not trying to discriminate against me. No pregnant woman in the working world has to get a note to continue working. I sure didnt when i was pregnant twice before and working. I worked up until my due dates. There are pregnant nurses, pregnant doctors, pregnant health care workers out there who are not prohibited from working and probably don't need doctors notes to keep working...so why would a school need one?

How does your school handle pregnant students?

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
We didn't have anyone get pregnant. I guess the family planning lectures sunk in.

The note is for your own wellbeing and the schools peace of mind. Many women I've worked with have been asked to have dr's approval to continue in the last two months. Depends upon how physical the work is. I've known NA's who only worked until month 7 and started their mat. leave early.

I don't think it was meant as a discrimination tactic against you. They probably want to know that you are fit enough to go where ever they send you.

I agree - it's formal documentation meant to demonstrate that you, not the school, assume responsibility for any injury or other issue related to your pregnancy.

I have read stories here of students delivering babies and insisting that they returned to school/clinicals within a few days. I admire these students' motivation, but this would be unheard of here -- 6 weeks maternity leave is standard practice. Nurses don't return to work until after the 6-week post-partum checkup, and neither do students.

In my class of 47, none of the 39 women aged 19 to 50-something have become pregnant.

I graduated in 2000. Two women became pregnant while in school. One chose to drop out. The other one stuck it out...did not miss a SINGLE day of class or clinical (actually delivered Friday night of a 3 day weekend -- not induced, either). Not only that, she pumped breast milk while at clinical for the rest of the year. And never complained or asked for special treatment other than having to take her lunch a little early a couple of times when her milk let down unexpectedly in the first couple of weeks after birth...

She always looked tired (but happy; it was obvious she adored her little girl) and was ecstatic that she graduated with the rest of us. I really admired her.

Specializes in LDRP.

UPDATE-

got a note, said i could go, but to "avoid hazardous materials, heavy lifting and wear comfortable shoes" it was a standard form letter from the dr's office. took it up to school today. the program head was very condescending and saying "no heavy lifting" is a problem, i need a "no restrictions" note, . she was not very nice about it. so i went back to the dr's office, where they didn't understand why the first one wasn't good enough. the RN at the office actually said "she should know that pregnant nurses are out there all the time with no problem" and got a note saying i can go on as long as i do not develop complications. brought it back. she took it, but was still just quite condescending and not nice at all.(you'd have to know her..im not just saying she's not nice b/c she's saying something i disagree with) i told her that i was pregnant all last semester, my clinical instructor knew it and had no problem and didnt ask for a note. she told me that the instructor should have. so, as it is, im fine. i doubt i'll have complications, i had 2 previous picture perfect pregnancies that i worked 40 hours a week in physical jobs (restaurant) up until past my due date (overdue babies). no problem. now i dont work.12 hours of clinical a week is nothing physically compared to 40 hour work weeks. i just wish she'd have a better attitude about it-i dont want to be singled out. i dont want special treatment. i am a good student.

arrgh.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I was in the military with baby number one and worked up until the day before giving birth, took four weeks off and back to work. With baby number two, I worked up until two hours before birth (I have fast labors) and went back to work two days later because of financial reasons. Wasn't a nurse, but actually they were physically taxing jobs also. Good luck...btw - I did online BSN and now MSN and I have clinicals - no physical required. Didn't need physical during LPN or ADN school either - just my immunizations updated.

Specializes in NICU.

Awwww Rose, I'm sorry you're having to go through all this. From reading all your posts I know you're a good student and do well in class/clinicals and won't let this program head get in the way of it. If you really feel like she was condescending to you, then make that known to the dean or the next higher up, that's what I would do. No one should have to listen to her talk down to them.

Just remember, not much longer and then you won't have to put up with all that stuff, you'll have your RN degree and your new baby! Good luck with this semester.

Our university rules cite pregnancy as a temporary disability. This is insurance speak for "possible liability" which is why documentation is sought. Leglislation here also demands that pregnant women retire in the eighth month of their pregnancy and not return to work until six weeks after the birth.

I tend to agree with that.

A colleague of mine developed pre-eclampsia at work and it was a terrible experience for all concerned. As such, I believe that pregnant women should be duly monitored.

Cheers,

B.

Specializes in NICU.

I disagree with that legislation demanding they "retire in their 8th month of pregnancy......". I could see if the woman had complications, then of course she shouldn't be in school as per doctor's orders, but to classify all pregnant woman as temporarily disabled ..... yikes!

We had a girl just last semester have her baby in late Oct., she was back in classes within a week and many other posters stated similar situations with fellow students being back in classes within days. If they're determined and healthy enough then I don't see the problem. But I understand legislation could get in the way, just wouldn't want it getting in the way of our rights.

We have a pregnant girl in our class (BSN). She's already an LPN. I do believe she had to get a note saying it was ok. Of course, she already works full time at the hospital. Our dean has 7 children...so she understands, lol. She's due I think the week of finals, so she's gonna try to take them early. My clinical instructor last semester was pregnant, she delivered a couple weeks after the semester ended.

By the way, other health issues sometimes do require a note. We had a girl get lice from her son...so obviously she had to have a note! I don't understand why you're complaining, you should work with your school in a more positive way.

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