Maternity leave before 1 year employment

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Hello,

I am a 4th semester nursing student graduating in May. We have been waiting to get pregnant until I get through nursing school, and would like for me to go off of birth control in April. However, if I was to get pregnant right away I'd need to go on maternity leave before my 1 year is up at my first nursing job. I'd also like to just go back part time or PRN for the first year after I get back from maternity leave. I know technically you have to be employed for 1 year to qualify for FMLA, but do you find that there are hospitals who are a bit more lenient with this? I'm trying to manage the timing, and we have already waited a good bit longer than we wanted to in the first place, as I have 3 kids from my 1st marriage and the age gap is getting to a point where I feel like its too much for what I would like. What are your thoughts?

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.

THere are a lot of variables involved here, so you have to weigh them all and decide what is best for your family. From a nursing standpoint, it might be best to get a year's worth of experience, this would make it easier for you to find a PRN or part-time job. Technically, you would be a new grad when you return to work, an a lot of facilities will not hire a new grad on a less than full-time basis. Can you be without the income for a year or two? The FMLA should not be an issue - in your case, because you would not have enough leave to cover a long absence, your FMLA would mean taking leave without pay with a promise of job when you return.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

:hrnsmlys:

THere are a lot of variables involved here, so you have to weigh them all and decide what is best for your family. From a nursing standpoint, it might be best to get a year's worth of experience, this would make it easier for you to find a PRN or part-time job. Technically, you would be a new grad when you return to work, an a lot of facilities will not hire a new grad on a less than full-time basis. Can you be without the income for a year or two? The FMLA should not be an issue - in your case, because you would not have enough leave to cover a long absence, your FMLA would mean taking leave without pay with a promise of job when you return.

How long are you technically a new grad? I figured as long as I was done with my orientation and training and working for at least a couple months I'd be out of the new grad status...

We can go with out my income, I'm doing this because I'm not a happy person just staying at home, I like to work, and I've wanted to be a nurse for a good solid 10 years. Being new I really don't want to take an extended period completely off, I'm concerned about becoming rusty since I wouldn't have had much time to really get "set" as a nurse. I guess it partly depends on how working 3 12s feels anyway- I'd still have 4 days at home so that might be good enough. Ideally I'd like to come back PRN or part time, but if its not feasible, its just not. I am more concerned with being able to take leave and still have a job before I've completed a year. (I think I'd be about 3 months or so short)

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I would encourage you to Google "FMLA" and learn what your rights and responsibilities are regarding taking a leave of absence from your employment.

By law, FMLA applies to workers of medium-sized and large employers who have been employed for at least 1 year, and have served at least 1000 hours, which is approximately 1/2 time. Every employer has a policy related to FMLA, and how it is implemented may differ a bit from one employer to the next. In general, FMLA allows you 12 weeks of unpaid leave (taken at once, or in increments) with the assurance of continued benefits and the same or a similar job upon your return. In exchange, you agree to return to your job in a benefits-eligible position and continue to work for a period of time after your return. If you do not return to your job in a benefits-eligible position, your employer has the right to bill you for the cost of benefits provided during your leave.

Knowing this information may help you and your husband to make decisions regarding your employment status and the timing of a pregnancy.

Good luck!

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I'm not sure what magic 365 days has over being a nurse and no longer a new grad either.

I'd do what Jolie suggested and get exact information and make your decision from that.

I have a friend who was a nurse for a year, got married, got pregnant and has not returned to hospital nursing. She and her husband own and operate a ranch for developmentally disabled adults (her brother has Downs Syndrome and that colored her decision to do this loving thing). She is very happy with her decision.

(I'd love to be able to stay home full time).

steph

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

The other thing to think about is what if you have complications during your pregnancy and have to take time off...this will eat into the number of hours you worked and may make you ineligible for FMLA. I'd go to HR and get the hosptial's take on it.

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I'm not sure if this is the same everywhere, but my hospital pays short term disability for 6 weeks for maternity leave (I think it's 55% of your salary) IF you've been there a year. Otherwise, they only pay 2 weeks. This has actually influenced my own personal decision to wait a few more months before trying to get pregnant, as that extra money would be very helpful to us, and I would love to be able to take a full 3 month maternity leave.

If you can afford it though, I think you should just have a baby. You'll always be able to find a job in nursing -- not always be able to have a baby. Good luck to you.

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