New RN, pregnant

[Beaus_mom]

So I just passed my boards September 1st and am currently 6 months pregnant. I interviewd for a job three days after my boards, and was just offered it today. Now, I didn't bring up my pregnancy in the interview because I was told it is a 'don't ask, don't tell' issue because employers don't want to risk discrimination accusations. However, I am definitely showing, but I am not sure with the blazer I was wearing if it was really obvious. So, I accepted the position over the phone, and go for orientation next week, without knowing if they are aware of my pregnancy. I plan on telling them but I am so nervous about how they are going to feel about it. I know they can't take back the offer, as that would constitute discrimination, but they also don't have to allow me to come back after my maternity leave, since I won't qualify for FMLA in that amount of time. I am afraid of the animosity that may occur once they find out, I really don't want any ill feelings. I also want to be able to come back after maternity leave. Any advice?

[S.Corder, RN]

All you can do is be honest with them. Go to the orientation as planned and don't say a word until asked. They had to have seen something in you they liked when they gave you the job, don't discount that. When they do ask--and they will--just tell them what you said above--you want to keep the position and come back after the child is born. We have all been in situations like this. Take a deep breathe and go into work looking as professional and cute as possible. We all have children and new babies make us all go weak in the knees--or at my age, say thank you those days are over. You will be fine, just do not lie nor add things that are not asked. Good Luck and God Bless. This is a great time in your life, enjoy it!

[CECE,RN]

Congratulations! You sound like me when I completed nursing school....I was pregnant. And you are right because people do discrimnate even though they are not supposed to. In my nursing school, it seemed as though the instructors looked down upon getting pregnant during nursing school, but this is my life and I do as I please. When I applied to the local hospitals, I informed them of my pregnancy and none of them wanted to hire me at the moment and told me to come after my baby was born. I think it was mainly due to the fact that you have to sit for all of the classes they require of new grads....who knows. But I did just that, I waited until after I had my baby. You on the other hand, have already been given the position, so I agree with the previous poster...just tell the truth, only when asked, since you failed to mention it in advance....and you could simply say that you didn't think that it would be a problem. Good luck, I hope everything turns out right for you and the little one.

[eyoliver]

6 weeks is still early enough that many women do not even know they are pregnant yet.... just be as honest as possible, and tell them that you just found out! Congratulations!

[LuyshuZL]

6 weeks is still early enough that many women do not even know they are pregnant yet.... just be as honest as possible, and tell them that you just found out! Congratulations!

6 months :)

[Patient'sPerspective]

First, congratulations x 2!!!:yeah:

Call your state's anti-discrimination commission to ask about what laws will protect you, since you can't do FMLA. In my state, I get unlimited unpaid leave while physically disabled from pregnancy, and that has saved me since I have had some pg complications making me unable to go to work.

[cmknova]

I am curious as to how your situation worked out-starting a job at 6 months pregnant. I am graduating with my BSN in December and am interviewing for jobs. My baby is due in March, but I am hoping to work up until that time and come back afterwards. I really don't know whether to bring this up at the interview or not. Can you give me any advice after going through all of this yourself? Was your employer understanding when you did finally tell them?

[Beaus_mom]

Well, I really thought they could tell I was pregnant during the interview, my husband told me it was obvious, however they did not. But shortly after starting the position, many of the aides I work with suspected it and had the nurse training me, ask. As far as my boss, she found out by seeing it on the paperwork for my physical. (Thats not how I intended it, but she was gone for some conferences my first week of work, so she saw the paperwork before she saw me) She said she didn't know, asked when I was due, and how long I wanted to take off. She was very nice about it, but I sensed a little annoyed. However, she can't discriminate so she never gave me any ill feelings. I have definitely done my best to prove my worth as well, hoping that it would help how she felt about it, I have picked up every hour she's asked of me and my documentation has been spotless. Anyways, two months later, I feel okay with how it all played out, but perhaps I should have made it more obvious in the interview. I really don't think I would have been offered the position, though, considering the tone of her voice when she told me she didn't know I was pregnant.So, I guess, even though I felt awful about how my boss found out, it was probably the best situation for me to get the position, and now it seems to be a thing of the past.