New Grad RN starting orientation soon found pregnancy -- what to do?

[binglinger]

I am New Grad RN starting orientation at the end of August on a Med-Surg floor, but just found out that I am pregnant. On one side, I am excited since the pregnancy is a long waiting outcome, plus I am not in a very young age. On the other side, I am worried if I can handle the new RN position along with the pregnancy. I know the floor I will be working is very tough in terms of the pt population, often including very complicated pt, psych pt, pt with infectious disease, very heavy pt, etc. In addition, my only opition for the shift is Day/Night shift (2 weeks day shift + 2 weeks night shift). I don't have the plan to give up the position at this point b/c the RN job market in my area is very competitive. Arhhh, very frustrating situation. Any suggestions, comments and input are welcomed and appreciated.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

i started an icu/ccu/stepdown charge job at about 9 weeks. you can do it if you have normally good health. do what your healthcare provider tells you about nutrition and adequate rest, and be glad that the new affordable care act makes your employer's insurance cover you, since pregnancy while female is no longer an uncovered preexisting condition.

[Kasandra]

I would say that you should remain at your job.

A little background: I am a RN who had both children while in school. I had my daughter halfway through school (two years into my BSN) and my son a week before graduation (my senior year).

Having children is an expensive endeavor. You will need the extra income for formula, diapers, wipes, clothes, baby accessories, etc (the list goes on). The only exception to this is: If you feel that your significant other's income is more than adequate to keep you and your family comfortable, you can afford to postpone work for a bit until you feel the time is right.

There are many nurses who choose to have children, and continue to work all the way up to just prior to the baby's delivery. You must follow up with your OB/GYN on a regular basis to monitor your health as well as that of your baby's. I can attest that I did this. I worked while pregnant, and took breaks to hydrate and eat. It can be done.

I wish you the best of luck! Congrats on the baby and new job! :w00t:

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Follow the recommendations of your healthcare provider. Take care of yourself first and foremost.

As far as work goes, they can't fire you or force you to take leave just for being pregnant. However, they can fire you if your performance at work suffers, if they can show they'd fire a non-pregnant person for the same poor performance. Also, they have to treat you the same way they'd treat any employee who is temporarily disabled; however the extent of what they to do for that--if anything--can vary between workplaces. Some places are great about working with pregnant nurses. Others, not so. Not wanting to scare you with that, but it's something you should keep in mind.

I know pregnant women who were on the floor working until they were dilating. I plan to do the same, or at least as far as I can get.

Congratulations!

[Good Morning, Gil]

Well, for the safety of your baby, you need to tell your manager (since you don't want to be taking care of active CMV or TB patients or really really combative patients) when you're pregnant. I would just mention it to your charge nurse and manager your first day of orientation.

Enjoy your new job! And, the fact that you're newly pregnant will be easier for you since you will be able to get through your orientation and work a while before taking maternity leave. You won't get FMLA since you'll be taking leave before 1 year of working, so depending on hospital policy, you'll just have to take some unpaid leave. You can ask HR that, though, once you start.

I've never been pregnant, but I hear the morning sickness can be a beast the first few months, and then the pregnancy gets easier (just more back pain later on, etc). And, then some, don't get sick at all...maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones!

I've known a good number of pregnant nurses out there that work in the bedside. Just listen to your OB on their recommendations. Congrats!