Job interview while pregnant

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi everyone,

I have 3 months to go with this pregnancy. Little guy coming in July. I have other children at home and I decided recently that working weekdays isn't ideal for me and maybe would like to work weekends again. Was going to wait until the fall to job hunt but I saw a listing and applied... now going on an interview next week! I was caught off guard with the phone call so I didn't tell them I am pregnant yet. Obviously they will know when I go in.

Here's the thing... I am an experienced/qualified nurse and believe I could get this job... maybe. Would they not hire me bc I am pregnant? I am willing to start by June and orient etc and then take 6 weeks off. Would this be a problem? Would you as a nurse manager NOT hire someone because they would need to take a meternity leave so soon after starting?

Am I crazy for even going? Maybe I should cancel and just not think about this until the fall. :uhoh3:

Specializes in Neuro, Neuro ICU.

I agree with PageantNurse- As a NM (which i'm not, but I've been in the business field for the past 5 years) I wouldn't hire you IF there were other qualified applicants because truthfully it takes money to train you, then you leave, and when you come back you may need some additional training. Is it fair? No. BUT- if there were no other applicants that I liked/qualified- I'd still give you the job because its better to hire you, and figure out what to do when you leave, rather than hiring someone who doesnt work out, when we could have hired you in the first place.

However- I think it is worth going, because you never know. If they like you they may keep you in mind for another position at a later time, even if they dont hire you.

Either way, ill keep my fingers crossed for you because I totally see why it isnt fair! Good Luck.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
I answered her question honestly. Sorry if it offends you. Pretending that administrative staff don't make these decisions everyday does not help the OP.

I did attempt to help the OP by giving advice on how to go about changing jobs knowing full well that people who make hiring decisions break the law quite often.

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Specializes in ICU, OR.

Thanks everyone! I might cancel just because I feel like it would be a stressful, uncomfortable interview for me, and for what? If I go, and they say no, fine. If they offer me a position I think it would be a stressful decision and I don't think I want to change anything right now.

However, I see the point that maybe I should just go and see what they say.. to check it out etc. So I still am not sure. We'll see...

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Don't cancel the interview. Go. The door was open. Trust God, you never know what He has in store for you.

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It's a little late but I hope you didn't listen to alot of negativity and went on the interview. I went on an interview back in February at 31 weeks pregnant. I didn't say anything and wasn't sure if they noticed-believe it or not they didn't. I freaked out about how to approach the subject with my new nurse manager and people on this site slammed me and questioned my integrity. With my raging pregnancy hormones it hurt alot and made me cry. Well, the hospital hired me, I worked up until 2 days before I gave birth, took 10 weeks off non-paid and am back to work with no hard feelings from my employer. It's a baby, not a on-going health condition that would keep you from being a long standing asset to a hospital's staff. If anything I work harder and appreciate this new job more for taking a chance on me. My employer saw my pregnancy as a temporary situation and a natural part of life. Anyone who wouldn't hire you pregnant better re-read the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

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i would love to know if you went on the interview

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Specializes in LDRP.

6 years ago, soon before my graduation, I was applying for jobs while also pregnant. I went to one interview while 8 months pregnant. Didn't get offered the job, even though I brought up in the interview my solid child care arrangements--my husband. My next three interviews were after the baby was born, and I got offered all three of those jobs.

SO the only job interview that didn't result in an offer was the one I went on while pregnant. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. I will never know. Of course, at the time I thought it totally sucked, b/c the one I didnt get was the job I really, really wanted (NICU). I'm so glad now that I didn't get it, b/c I was able to find my real passion (L&D). It will work out

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i'm also pregnant, currently on my 8th month...i was actually called in for an interview too around the end of March and my belly was obviously showing... i was just trying cuz we never know right? i received very good feedback from the phone and actual interview but they still didn't hire me, pointing out my employment gap as the main reason but now that i think about it, they could have just been saying that and the real reason was actually my pregnancy.... =(

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