Job offer... but prego

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I graduated nursing school in September 2007, only to find out a week later that I was pregnant. After about 10 months of applying to my favorite non-profit hospital in town, they finally call me out of the blue and I set up an interview for a med-surg position (believe it or not this is my dream job, I couldn't refuse). Keeping in mind that I'm now 5 months pregnant and I haven't worked on any nursing floor yet, what should I do?

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Accept it if you want the job.

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Specializes in ICU, nutrition.

I've been in your position, both before I became a nurse and after I became a nurse. With the first job I was 7.5 months pregnant and it was a temp position, so it wasn't a big deal and they hired me anyway. I wasn't able to finish the assignment because I delivered 3 weeks early, but again, not a big deal.

The other one was a little more tricky. I had just found out I was pregnant with a home test the month before. American Mobile Nursing had screwed up my travel contract and never enrolled me in insurance so I couldn't go to the doctor till I was on at a hospital and had insurance, so I kept it to myself. I started in November and was due in May. Once I told my bosses they were very understanding and happy for me. But I was already an experienced nurse so my orientation was only a month or so.

Are you showing yet? They shouldn't hold that against you but it's possible if there are others in the running for the job, you might be "just not what we're looking for." And good luck filing a complaint about such, as I had a manager (not in a nursing job) interview me and ask me about my kid and what I would do with him and such in an interview (that's pretty much all we talked about, when I think about it) and then didn't hire me. Of course I didn't know enough to know that I could have stopped that line of questioning with "that's not appropriate" or "it will be taken care of." But I digress.

So if you can get by, it might be best to not bring it up. Only thing is they don't have to give you FMLA by law so you may lose your job on maternity leave.

Good luck whatever you decide to do, and congratulations on your pregnancy and becoming a nurse!

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Read up on the law as it applies. Granted some employers might be creative in breaking the law, but if that's the case, I wouldn't want to work for a facility that treated their employees with such disregard.

http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-preg.html

A pregnant worker can remain on the job as long as she is able to perform the work. The employer must hold open a job for a pregnancy-related absence as long as jobs are normally held open for workers on sick or disability leave. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act also bans the employer from terminating, demoting or disciplining a worker because of her pregnancy.

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Specializes in ICU, Psych.

If thats your dream-job then take it. After all you are pregnant and not disabled. Let them know and if they are a decent place to work they will work with you.

I makes me very mad when ever I see any employer discriminating because someone is pregnant or out for delivery. After all, the morons should remember that because someone was once pregnant and had to be out of work to deliver is how they got here in the first place.

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The cutest pregnant girl I have ever seen was just hired on at my hospital and she's 36 weeks... I say go for it. Some things are worth it.

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Specializes in ICU.
If thats your dream-job then take it. After all you are pregnant and not disabled. Let them know and if they are a decent place to work they will work with you.

I makes me very mad when ever I see any employer discriminating because someone is pregnant or out for delivery. After all, the morons should remember that because someone was once pregnant and had to be out of work to deliver is how they got here in the first place.

Amen to that. What would all the labor and delivery staff do without people in your position? Everything happens for a reason, just keep that in mind!;)

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Specializes in Oncology, Research.

I interview for and accepted my dream job at 7 months pregnant. I actually started at 8 months and am due to deliver any day now. My employer has been extremely understanding and accommodating. I would go for it. You will have plenty of time to get oriented and comfortable before your delivery. After all, if you wait for perfect timing, you will be waiting forever.

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Specializes in ER; HBOT- lots others.

Take the job, u may never get the chance again! you cant do, if you dont try!

GL!

& Congrats!!!

_h_

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Hi everybody!

I took the job. If she noticed my bump, she didn't let on & I didn't tell. I was worried if I let on, the entire interview would be focused on it and I know I'll try my best to not make the pregnancy affect my job performance. So hopefully in the next few months I come across as hard working, and maternity leave won't be a problem. Thank you so much for the much needed encouragement! Nancy

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