I am a new grad who recently passed NCLEX and has a job interview tomorrow. I would love this position-its in maternity, which is always where I wanted to end up. The new problem now is is that I am pregnant. I am 16 weeks today and will need to take time off at the beginning of the new year. I am not planning on saying anything during the interview, but am wondering when I should. Should I tell once a job offer is extended? After I start working? I am so confused and nervous about all of this more so than the actual interview.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I just went through this myself. I went on the interview and once I got the offer I told them then just to be fair and honest. I told them that I would understand if they couldnt extend the job to me now knowing my situatuion. I think because I was honest upfront they worked with me. As long as I met my 90 day probation they agreed to work with me on a fair maternity leave and I could use any pto accrued up to that time. Every situation is different and competition is stiff with so many people looking for jobs right now. I wouldnt blame you for not telling them before taking the job but that may affect how they feel about you and whether they hold your job when you do go on maternity leave...because they dont have to save your spot for six weeks if you dont have FMLA. I would say be honest and tell them your situation AFTER A JOB OFFER and let them know why picking you will be worth while in the long run. Good Luck!
Never been in this situation, but want to reaffirm what some others are saying. The interviewer has no right to ask if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, etc. It is a discriminatory against women - if a man were interviewing for the job, they would not ask if he and his wife/partner were expecting or planning to concieve, even though he may opt to claim FMLA leave after the birth as well. It is within your rights to politely point out that such a question is irrelevant to your ability to perform the duties of your job, leave the questioned unanswered, and move on with the interview. Do not intentially be misleading (say no, then mysteriously deliver a full-term baby 5 months later ) but again, it is within your rights to NOT answer. If you choose to be upfront before accepting an offer, unfortunately, its unlikely you would be offered a position. If you accept a position, even if they choose not to hold your position for 4-6 wks after delivery, you would still have 5 months maternity experience when you rejoin the workforce - and have 5 months worth of additional income. Just my
thanks everyone for your advice and input. I will wait until I get an offer to tell...and an HR friend of mine said to try and get the offer in writing before I divulge the fact that I am pregnant.
6mostogoRN-thank you for pointing out that I would have 5mo maternity experience to put on my resume if they don't hold my position for me after I leave on Maternity. Not 2 seconds before I read your post, my husband said the same. I needed that-to see the positive through the potential negative. :-)
The end of last year my NM hired about 10 new grads on our floor. More than half of them are currently out or will be out shortly on maternity leave. One of them even transferred to ED, lost her position there and was allowed to return to keep health benefits for delivery. I know all managers are not the same as mine but there have to be a few out there.
Wishing you good luck and health during this special time
I don't have childeren but this thread has really highlighted for me how much pregnant women are discriminated against. It is a shame that you are in the happiest period of your life, & having to worry about what your work will say.
Just don't say anything then; wait till after you get the job. It is their problem what happens after that.
) but again, it is within your rights to NOT answer. If you choose to be upfront before accepting an offer, unfortunately, its unlikely you would be offered a position. If you accept a position, even if they choose not to hold your position for 4-6 wks after delivery, you would still have 5 months maternity experience when you rejoin the workforce - and have 5 months worth of additional income. Just my 
Nurse80sbaby
32 Posts
I just went through this myself. I went on the interview and once I got the offer I told them then just to be fair and honest. I told them that I would understand if they couldnt extend the job to me now knowing my situatuion. I think because I was honest upfront they worked with me. As long as I met my 90 day probation they agreed to work with me on a fair maternity leave and I could use any pto accrued up to that time. Every situation is different and competition is stiff with so many people looking for jobs right now. I wouldnt blame you for not telling them before taking the job but that may affect how they feel about you and whether they hold your job when you do go on maternity leave...because they dont have to save your spot for six weeks if you dont have FMLA. I would say be honest and tell them your situation AFTER A JOB OFFER and let them know why picking you will be worth while in the long run. Good Luck!