Need advice- 6 months pregnant and starting in the ER

Specialties Emergency

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Hello.

Ive never posted here- just read all the other postings- but i need some advice before Monday.

I live in NYC and have been offered two jobs both in the ER where I have no experience. Im a fairly new grad- although I was an LPN before but still a lot is new to me.

One is at a smaller hospital with great staffing levels, good reputation but also about an hour away from my house at least.

The second is four blocks from my house, a level 1 trauma center, a public hospital, but really liked the interview and seems to have a pretty good reputation- its one of the busiest ERs in the city.

I would definetly take the second if I wasnt six months PREGNANT. I am worried to work in such an intense hospital will be too much over the next few months. My pregnancy has been uncomplicated and

I feel great now but who knows what can happen? Both hospitals I told I was pregnant before they hired me and have already determined maternity leave.

Where do you think I should go??

Also is it standard for me to pay for ACLS and PALS before orientation or is it usually part of orientation?

Let me know what you think!!!!!!!!!!!

Specializes in Psych, Informatics, Biostatistics.
regardless if a pt walks in the door in the ER, or is transported via stretcher from the PACU to the floor.... I'm not convinced you EVER have a great deal of "control" over the types of pts you may take care of.

Pregnancy is a condition, not a disability. I don't think someone should be discouraged from any area of nursing due to a pregnancy.

I do. A life is precious.

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Specializes in med/surg, rural, ER.

Also remember to take into consideration how tired you will be during your third trimester and after the baby comes. You will be tired going TO work and exhausted coming home. I would take the closer job. You haven't mentioned which you would rather work at if distance wasn't an issue. Unless you desperately want to work at the smaller hospital, I would choose the one closest to your home.

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Specializes in cardiology.
I do. A life is precious.

I'm not disagreeing with you .... life is precious. I'm the proud mother of 3 children .. 2 with me, and one in heaven. I worked, as a nurse, full time, with all three pregnancies. I just don't see where pregnancy and working are incompatable.

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Specializes in Psych, Informatics, Biostatistics.
I'm not disagreeing with you .... life is precious. I'm the proud mother of 3 children .. 2 with me, and one in heaven. I worked, as a nurse, full time, with all three pregnancies. I just don't see where pregnancy and working are incompatable.

Certain units are. I would not put a pregnant woman on the psych unit where I work at the present time. Two of my hulking male techs have been injured recently.

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Specializes in ER, Peds, Charge RN.

Bottom line: if you are an ER nurse, you need to be cautious about which rooms you step into, and who you have around to help you. If you think there is a possibility of being kicked in the belly, wait for help. If you rush in there on your own and get kicked, really you were asking for trouble. Your own safety has to come before the patient.

If you are pregnant, the same rules should apply, with some extra caution.

To each their own. If you have enough money and support that you don't have to work pregnant, more power to you. Some of us don't have that choice, and I don't think we should be guilted about it.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Ive worked with many Preg Women over the decades in ER. Ive seen them all work till late in preg. I even see a few work who had their BOW rupture while at work. Now me persoanlly being a wimpy guy wouldnt be that courageous. Which is why women have babies. But Ive respected their efforts and discomforts. None of them ever had problems with their offspring

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