new MICU job, pregnancy, and swine flu

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC.

(I hate the moniker 'swine flu, but anyway). I was offered a job in a MICU, which I really want to do. I'm also trying to get pregnant with my first baby and have been reading about pandemic flu being more dangerous/fatal in pregnant women. I'm also concerned about taking an experimental vaccine while pregnant. As I see my options, I could

1-assuming I'm not already pregnant, resume birth control, get swine flu vaccine, then stop birth control again

2-stay at my current job at a rehab/long term care facility, where I doubt I have much risk of contracting swine flu, although I know there is still a risk

3-get vaccinated when it's available regardless of pregnancy status/work in MICU

4- don't get vaccine and wear PPE when caring for any patient with any infection (but if a patient with swine flu is on the unit, aren't I still at risk regardless of my own PPE/hygiene)

It's looking like #1 is the safest, it just sucks to go back on the birth control after thinking I might be pregnant by october :(

What are you all doing about this? What are your thoughts on the vaccine?

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Specializes in Case Mgmt, Anesthesia, ICU, ER, Dialysis.

How about talking to your OB?

Look, it's part of being a nurse. People can be admitted to LTC/Rehab, and contract it from those coming to visit them. You can get it in the mall, grocery store, anyplace.

I'd say take the MICU job, practice scrupulous handwashing, take your vitamins, wear your masks like you should for anyone who needs it, and get to baby makin'.

Don't overanalyze. Pregnancy isn't a formula...it's a miracle.

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Go for the MICU job. It may not pop up again.

Pregnant or not, everyone should be maintaining the same precautions, wearing the proper PPE, etc. You bring up a good point about the vaccine and pregnancy, but you don't really NEED it just like you don't need a regular flu shot.

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Go to MICU!

Figure out the rest from there. You should probably get vaccinated preggers or not, so just keep up the PPE!

Good luck!

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Specializes in CTICU.

1. It's not an "experimental" vaccine.

2. You're probably better off in ICU than a lot of places, since people will mostly be intubated and not breathing all over you.

3. Don't live "what if's". Do what you gotta do.

Are you really going to base your pregnancy plans on what random online people tell you? Make your own decisions, then talk to your doctor and research the vaccination and make an informed choice about it. I would not pass on a job because of maybe coming in contact with H1N1 - you could catch that anywhere if you're going to.

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Specializes in Trauma acute surgery, surgical ICU, PACU.

What they are telling our pregnant nurses is that you are more likely to catch H1N1 in the supermarket check-out line than you are at work, because at work we are using protective masks, etc.

I would just take the job, not fret about the pregnancy thing and just do what you want to, and use personal protective equipment.

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