new job and pregnant?!?!

Nurses General Nursing

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I just graduated from nursing school and have a job lined up!! It was actually my first choice job, so I'm pretty excited. My husband and I have been wanting to start trying for our first baby for quite some time (we are both 30 and not getting any younger!!). We are debating between starting to try now or waiting until I have been working for 3 months so that I will be eligible for FMLA by the time the baby is due.

I would like to take 12 weeks off, but I would be okay with only having 6 weeks off. Also, if I didn't have enough PTO to cover my time off, we would be okay financially, so that isn't an issue. What I am worried about is whether they will keep my job open while I am off. I know they don't technically have to unless I'm covered by FMLA. However, the hospital seems to be pretty family friendly. But, there is definitely not a nurse shortage in my city - new grads are having trouble finding jobs. I really want to keep this job and continue working there after I have a baby, but I really want to have a baby too. We've been putting off having a family for so long due to school, jobs, etc. Has anyone else been in this situation or know someone who has? Do you think that they will let me have time off and will hold my job open? :confused:

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'll be honest even if it isn't politically correct. If you get hired at a new job and are pregnant or become pregnant quickly especially if they learn it was on purpose it won't do you any favors. I'd make sure I was eligible for whatever I needed to secure my position in writing rather than just hoping their "family friendly" atmosphere will include generosity toward a new grad going through an expensive orientation peroid and then needing time off possibly to never return just as she started becoming useful.

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Congrats on the job!!

I'm kind of in the same boat, but a year or so behind you. My husband and I are 29, and wanting to start having children, but I'm getting ready to start a 12 month LPN program. I KNOW that there is no way I can have a baby in the middle of school, so we're going to have to wait a little.

I don't know the details of FMLA, but I'm sure that the HR department at the hospital would be more than happy to walk you through their maternity leave policies - just wait to ask them until after you have started working.

As far as waiting a few months, that may happen anyway... not everyone gets pregnant right away. There are lots of factors that affect fertility. My biggest question regarding timing would be: How long do you have to work to get health insurance? If that's not an issue for you, I would probably go ahead and start trying for a baby, and then just seeing what happens.

Good luck on the job, and your future!

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When do you start your new job? Because even though it might feel like forever, in the long run three months isn't too long to wait--especially if it means job security.

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I would wait to conceive a baby right now, because you will be starting a new career. A career that is very stressful and you will probably need time for your body to get used to the job. I ended up having to quit my CNA job in February, because I was in my first trimester and was so tired all the time. Granted as a nurse you probably have less physical work requirements, but you will be pushed in other ways.

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

I would wait the 3 months at least and make sure you will be FMLA covered once you have the baby...

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm in a similar situation, the difference being that I already have a child. Hubby and I decided to wait a few months. I think we'll aim for my to be due 6 weeks past my 1 year hire date (or longer, depending on how long it takes). I'm at a great hospital, in a great unit. My hospital is def family friendly (we are on the 'Working Mother Magazine' list of top 100 companies to work for), but I just don't want to chance my spot not being there when I am ready to return.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

At least wait for FMLA to be available to you. It would make no sense to go through the trouble to get your (first choice!!) job and then possibly throw it all away by needing leave before its available.

Just wait. If youve waited this long, you can wait three more months! On the other hand. Good Luck. :p

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I'm not sure where you got 3 months from. You have to have worked at your place of employment for 12 months and at least 1,250 hours to qualify for FMLA.

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If she waits three months to get pregnant and is pregnant for 9 months...

I'm not sure where you got 3 months from. You have to have worked at your place of employment for 12 months and at least 1,250 hours to qualify for FMLA.
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If she waits three months to get pregnant and is pregnant for 9 months...

Oh duh! Sorry, didn't even think of that. lol

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I'd wait at least 6 months. Getting pregnant, starting at a new job and a new career is going to be very stressful. Plus, if you have computations and need to take off the last few months of your pregnancy, you would not be covered by FMLA. Being family friendly is great, but you may have to transfer to a different shift/area if not protected by the FMLA.

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