Just accepted job, now may be pregnant

Cat365 · May 24, 2017

I've never been asked if there was a possibility I was pregnant when I was changing jobs. Any idea why they asked this? Required vaccinations? Do they want to run a pregnancy test if you answers that there is a possibility?

SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN · May 24, 2017

First, no you definitely do not need to tell them and they wont find out from your work physical. Your PRN so it's not really a big deal.

allnurses Guide · May 24, 2017

Same thing happened to me. I once switched nursing jobs, then

immediately found out I was pregnant. I went on with the new job

because I was so, so, so burned out on the previous one.

I agree, since you are just PRN, I wouldn't worry about

telling them right away. I had to because I was full time.

It all worked out.

SmilingBluEyes · May 24, 2017

I would definitely not divulge this until the 2nd trimester, when it's most likely everything is ok.

cleback · May 24, 2017

Congrats! I agree with the others that you don't need to tell them right away. However, I would start looking up FMLA in your state. In mine, workers have to have been employed a year before qualifying, so you would not be eligible for leave where I am from. Kind of a bummer. Hopefully they will still be accommodating but be prepared if they aren't.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · May 24, 2017

FMLA is not a state law. It makes no difference what state you are in.

You have not deceived your employer if you choose not to tell them information they have no right to have.

It is illlegal for them to fire you for getting pregnant.

Borntobenurse? · May 24, 2017

I just accepted a PRN position (in OB) and was just surprised with the fact that I'm most likely pregnant! If I am, I am very very newly pregnant.
When do I tell my new employer? Will this hinder my hiring process? I am filling out my pre-employment physical and it asks if there's a chance I am pregnant. My physical is not for a few weeks so I will most definitely know by then. Will they notify my employer? I was not aware of being pregnant when interviewing or when I accepted the job. I had a bad experience in the workplace before telling higher-ups I was pregnant so I'm nervous. I don't want them to think I was deceiving them.

Congrats if true. You tell them nothing till you are certain you are pregnant and you get past the 1st trimester at least (unless you work around radiation). There is some chance you could have a miscarriage still, so its not wrong at all to withhold telling them. They do not have a right to know before that IMO.

They will not find a pregnancy in a workplace physical. That question is about risk factors/treatments (think live vaccines). Any woman who is under 50 and not taking birth control could have a 'chance' of getting pregant if she hasn't had a Salpingoopherectomy or Total Hyesterectomy etc. That is not what they are there for. Don't worry, it will be fine. Pregnancy is a protected status. I am sorry about your previous experience, but it shouldn't happen at your new job, especially as you are PRN.

cleback · May 24, 2017

It's true that fmla is not a state law but states have additional laws on it. For example, the federal fml requires 1000 hrs of service in the previous year to qualify. My state fmla requires 1250. So yes, if the OP was considering fmla, she would want to find out her state's fmla laws.

SaltineQueen · May 24, 2017

I just accepted a PRN position (in OB) and was just surprised with the fact that I'm most likely pregnant! If I am, I am very very newly pregnant.
When do I tell my new employer? Will this hinder my hiring process? I am filling out my pre-employment physical and it asks if there's a chance I am pregnant. My physical is not for a few weeks so I will most definitely know by then. Will they notify my employer? I was not aware of being pregnant when interviewing or when I accepted the job. I had a bad experience in the workplace before telling higher-ups I was pregnant so I'm nervous. I don't want them to think I was deceiving them.

You're a female with child-bearing ability, presumably having intercourse. There is always a chance you may be pregnant. That's how I'd explain it if asked. But I wouldn't say anything until 3-4 months along. I interviewed visibly pregnant. They never asked, I never told until after I accepted the job.

RNtoBe14 · May 30, 2017

Cat365 I'm not sure why they ask that. They ask for your LMP and check yes or no if there is a chance you might be pregnant.

Thank you everyone for your responses! I am indeed pregnant, and I do not plan on sharing with my employer until I'm out of the first trimester. I do not plan on using FMLA since I am PRN, and will go back after about 6 weeks when I'm cleared by my doctor to return to work. I was hoping it wouldn't be a huge issue since I am PRN and won't be relied on for scheduling, but I wasn't sure since I'm new to the PRN world. :)