I am 20 wks Pregnant and my doctor gave me restrictions while working ( no lifting or pulling) because of medical condition that can lead to a miscarriage. I had a miscarriage before because of this condition. The problem is my OBGYN still thinks I am able to work and there is no need for bedrest at this time.
My Job (I am an RN) on the other had does not agree and classified my restrictions as LIGHT DUTY. They claim they don't have light duty for pregnacy only for workmanscom(sp) Injury.
I was never given an option to work less days, to do adms, secetary, or monitor tech position. I was just told by my MRG, HR and EMP health that THEY HAVE NO LIGHT DUTY JOBS AVAILABLE FOR PREGNANT RN'S AND I HAVE TO STOP WORKING. the think is I was working fine before; my co-workers were awesome in helping me lift and pull, I am still able to work, myself and the doctor agrees with that.
Now I am home sitting on my butt no work, My PL and job disability runs out at the end of the mth. My thing is women makes up more than half of the nursing field and if and when we do get pregnant and are given restrictions by our OBGYN It's the hospitals responsbilty to find us a place to work or try and work around it. Wouldn't you all agree? The doctor did not say bedrest; had she said that then that would have been different; she just had Restrictions.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I agree with Ruby. The hospital is a business. If you can't perform what paid work they have available, it is not their responsibility to pay you or to create something for you to do. If all business had to do that, none of them would be profitable and none of us would have work. I hope the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful and you are able to return to normal activities as a healthy new mom.
Any possibility that you could be farmed out to another part of the hospital? Maybe HIM to help with chart review/coding or something of that sort? Perhaps you could ask, but you are basically left with what your employer okays in this sort of situation. You have to see it from their side too: if they let you work and you miscarry, that's mega money.
By any chance do you have short-term disability coverage? Some policies cover pregnancy. I've been in your spot, believe me; I was sent home from work a week before I was supposed to start leave before a back surgery because I was told I was making my employer "look bad" by hobbling around on a cane! That of course cost me a week's pay that I really needed....I wish I could give you better news, but it sounds like you're stuck.
I sounds like you have your priorities in order having a healthy baby. Also sounds like you are going to to try to advocate for other women so they won't have to worry like you are.
I worked both my pregnancies, it is not fair to ask your co workers to pick up your slack since their backs will give out trying to do two peoples jobs. It gets old being the only nurse on a unit who doesn't have a bad back or is pregnant.
If you plan on getting pregnant again, try to work in an area that is not as physical such as home health or for insurance company. Best of luck with your current pregnancy.
One last piece of advice don't keep pressing this issue if you plan on returning to this hospital since they don't have to re hire you..... I wish you a very healthy baby and an easy delivery.
it is not fair to ask your co workers to pick up your slack since their backs will give out trying to do two peoples jobs. It gets old being the only nurse on a unit who doesn't have a bad back or is pregnant.
This! I am tired of having to take the heavier pts because someone else is on light duty because of pregnancy. And I also have to take the pts in isolation because the pregnant nurse doesn't want to expose herself.
Why should I put myself at an increased risk for back injury because someone else is pregnant and can't lift but still wants to lift.
Maybe you can get some shifts as a sitter, or escorting pts to other hospitals/facilities for tests etc.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
this! i am tired of having to take the heavier pts because someone else is on light duty because of pregnancy. and i also have to take the pts in isolation because the pregnant nurse doesn't want to expose herself.
why should i put myself at an increased risk for back injury because someone else is pregnant and can't lift but still wants to lift.
maybe you can get some shifts as a sitter, or escorting pts to other hospitals/facilities for tests etc.
when i worked in an eight bed micu, five or six of our nurses were pregnant at the same time. that meant that some shifts, i was the only nurse working who wasn't pregnant. the pregnant nurses didn't want to take the heavier patients because they didn't want to lift. they didn't want to take patients in isolation because they didn't want to risk their babies. (and once they had their babies, they didn't want to take isolation patients because they "didn't want to take the bugs home to the kids.") they couldn't hold patients for x-rays, couldn't go to mri or ct and couldn't keep working their entire shift because they were just too tired. you can see where this is going, right?
it got so i hated my job. i couldn't take all the heavy patients and all the isolation patients and all the patients who needed x-rays or to travel. but i tried, i really did. then one night when i had two heavy, isolation patients and the docs wanted to float a swan using flouroscopy on the patient one of the pregnant nurses was taking care of, she wanted me to assist with the swan placement. but she couldn't do anything for me, of course, because my patients were heavy and in isolation. when i refused, she called the nursing supervisor. the nursing supervisor came up, took one look around and told the pregnant nurse to suck it up and deal. she could wear lead and float the swan or she could suck it up and take care of my isolation patients.
the pregnant nurse threw an absolute fit, and the other three pregnant nurses on shift that night supported her. el preggo went home on administrative leave and our manager was called to take care of her patient. suddenly, things changed. one pregnant nurse made the decision to leave on her own, and the rest were told in no uncertain terms that they could do their jobs or go home. "ruby didn't get you pregnant," the supervisor told one of them. "and ruby shouldn't have to do your job and hers too."
It's the hospitals responsbilty to find us a place to work or try and work around it. Wouldn't you all agree? .
Actually...no.
The only thing the hospital can't do is fire you for being pregnant. They CAN fire you if you don't do your job while pregnant, if they can demonstrate they'd fire a non-pregnant person for the same substandard performance--the reason for your firing would then be your job performance, not your medical condition. So be careful and don't make the mistake of thinking that pregnancy is automatic job insurance no matter what.
They don't have to find you work to do either. By law, they have to treat you the same as any other temporarily disabled employee, so if your employer lets other temporarily disabled nurses modify their tasks or perform alternative ones, then you may have a case. But if they don't allow that or have alternative assignments for you to work...then I'm sorry, but you're stuck not working. I know it's not what you wanted to hear.
Everyone keeps saying "pregnancy isn't a disability"... well then why do I have to apply for Short-term disability for my maternity leave and it only pays 60% of my wages, which I have to use My Own Paid Time Off hours to make up the 40%!
I'm 31 weeks pregnant and have had a healthy uncomplicated pregnancy, but I asked my doctor for light duty/lifting restrictions because I just can't do it anymore. I'm miserable!
I'm a hard worker and I go out of my way to help fellow co-workers when needed.... so this is my turn to ask for their help and understanding.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
everyone keeps saying "pregnancy isn't a disability"... well then why do i have to apply for short-term disability for my maternity leave and it only pays 60% of my wages, which i have to use my own paid time off hours to make up the 40%!
i'm 31 weeks pregnant and have had a healthy uncomplicated pregnancy, but i asked my doctor for light duty/lifting restrictions because i just can't do it anymore. i'm miserable!
i'm a hard worker and i go out of my way to help fellow co-workers when needed.... so this is my turn to ask for their help and understanding.
you think everyone should pay for your time off when you have a baby? it was, after all, your choice to have a baby, so you should use your pto.
I am 20 wks Pregnant and my doctor gave me restrictions while working ( no lifting or pulling) because of medical condition that can lead to a miscarriage. I had a miscarriage before because of this condition. The problem is my OBGYN still thinks I am able to work and there is no need for bedrest at this time.
My Job (I am an RN) on the other had does not agree and classified my restrictions as LIGHT DUTY. They claim they don't have light duty for pregnacy only for workmanscom(sp) Injury.
I was never given an option to work less days, to do adms, secetary, or monitor tech position. I was just told by my MRG, HR and EMP health that THEY HAVE NO LIGHT DUTY JOBS AVAILABLE FOR PREGNANT RN'S AND I HAVE TO STOP WORKING. the think is I was working fine before; my co-workers were awesome in helping me lift and pull, I am still able to work, myself and the doctor agrees with that.
Now I am home sitting on my butt no work, My PL and job disability runs out at the end of the mth. My thing is women makes up more than half of the nursing field and if and when we do get pregnant and are given restrictions by our OBGYN It's the hospitals responsbilty to find us a place to work or try and work around it. Wouldn't you all agree? The doctor did not say bedrest; had she said that then that would have been different; she just had Restrictions.
i'm confused.
it sounds like your dr. (primary care dr) is advising restrictions, but your ob/gyn isn't concerned.
if this is the case, i would tend to side w/the ob/gyn, since it is his/her specialty, and it doesn't sound like s/he believes this "medical condition" would result in miscarriage.
but that's not your question, is it...:)
i don't know what laws prevail in your country, but if your employer states light duty is reserved for workman comp cases, then they aren't doing anything wrong, nor are they denying you anything.
as has been stated, it is your pregnancy, and it's ultimately your responsibility as to how you keep your baby safe.
I too am sick and tired of being expected to carry the load for pregnant staff. Pregnancy is not a disability. I'm so over hearing "I can't scrub because I can't stand up for long". Ummm no I'm not going to scrub all day for every case for you. YOU decided to have a baby, deal with it or get out so an able bodied person can share the workload.
So no, don't agree it's the hospitals responsibility to carry you through your pregnancy, as the hospital didn't make you pregnant.
I too am sick and tired of being expected to carry the load for pregnant staff. Pregnancy is not a disability. I'm so over hearing "I can't scrub because I can't stand up for long". Ummm no I'm not going to scrub all day for every case for you. YOU decided to have a baby, deal with it or get out so an able bodied person can share the workload.
So no, don't agree it's the hospitals responsibility to carry you through your pregnancy, as the hospital didn't make you pregnant.
And people wonder why nurses burn out like they do.
My feeling...
If you can't do your job properly, make room for someone who can.
Nurse SMS, MSN, RN
6,843 Posts
I agree with Ruby. The hospital is a business. If you can't perform what paid work they have available, it is not their responsibility to pay you or to create something for you to do. If all business had to do that, none of them would be profitable and none of us would have work. I hope the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful and you are able to return to normal activities as a healthy new mom.