Just hired and pregnant! Help!

[baswifey88]

I was just hired as a NA at a very prestigious hospital. I am very proud to have been hired there and applied for over a year for the position. I'm worried because I talk to my manager about my schedule tomorrow and I don't know if I should tell her I am pregnant or not? I am only 6 weeks, but I will be in the Neuro/ICU which I am sure is intense. I don't know how I am going to get through morning sickness without telling my manager. I want her to know right away, but I don't want to get fired. My husband and I tried for almost 3 years for this baby, so both the baby and the job are blessings... any advice for when and how to tell her?

Thank you!

[SweetseRN]

If they fired you for a pregnancy you would have an awesome nest egg for the baby from the lawsuit you would surely win...Remember this is a female dominated profession. Just tell them, the will understand.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

You should tell at least the manager. Remember there are pt that you.shouldn't take like ones with shingles for example. So the nurses in charge should know too.

Congrats.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

If they fired you for a pregnancy you would have an awesome nest egg for the baby from the lawsuit you would surely win...Remember this is a female dominated profession. Just tell them, the will understand.

Good luck proving that while on the probationary period.

[Fribblet]

Good luck proving that while on the probationary period.

Unless she's in a right to work state. They can terminate at will and without cause. Proving anything will be that much harder.

I

[SweetseRN]

Hm, I guess it would be kinda hard to prove that is why they terminated you...But I know of 2 women I graduated with who became pregnant in between school and 1st day of new job. Neither of them has had a problem so far. Good luck to you and congrats.

[nurseryRN14]

Usually you probably would wait until 3 months to make sure you and the baby are ok since the first 3 months are the hardest, but in your line of work you are going to be pulling and lifting patients. I would just say that if you don't want to tell anyone, make sure that you ask for help with any lifts and pulling on pts. I was on the job about 4 months, got pregnant and wanted to tell my manager and she was so negative. I would just tell her, they may be able to give you lighter patients. For me nobody cared, I would get the heaviest pts if anything. I ended up stopping work at almost 8 months. If I hadn't I probably would have been in preterm labor. Thank god I had some money saved.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

Unless she's in a right to work state. They can terminate at will and without cause. Proving anything will be that much harder.

I

They cannot fire you for being pregnant because it's covered under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. It is a federal law so it doesn't matter what state the OP is in. However when you are on your probationary period they can find other things to fire you for and get around the law.

[Crux1024]

Just gotta throw out there as a reminder: You will not you be covered by FMLA if/when you take leave.

I also vote for a waiting a bit (the 12 week mark seems good) before letting them know. You should always be asking for help with lifts anyways, so this is not abnormal is any sense. Good luck with the baby!

[merlee]

The issue here is NOT lifting, but certain viruses that you should avoid. Tell your manager that this was somewhat of a surprise to you, too.

Best wishes!!

[EmergencyNrse]

1st of all congratulations on your pregnancy. That's really great.

Next, there is no way in Hell I would let my employer know that you're knocked-up...

It's none of their business and unless it affects your ability to perform your job it's a moot point.

So, they realize this later on. They might have to make accommodations but it's still shouldn't affect you doing your job, right?. Only making a big deal about your gestation period will make them question hiring you. Stay focused and prove that you're an asset to them.

Your job is your job and the baby is personal. Keep it that way...

[Fribblet]

They cannot fire you for being pregnant because it's covered under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. It is a federal law so it doesn't matter what state the OP is in. However when you are on your probationary period they can find other things to fire you for and get around the law.

No, they can't terminate her specifically for being pregnant. That's not what I said. It's much easier though in a Right to Work state because they can fire her for being pregnant in reality, but claim something else entirely. In fact, they don't need any reason to fire her. The can just say "collect you stuff and go." To prove it was truly because of pregnancy would be even more difficult in that situation.