how does your nursing school deal with pregnant nursing students?

manna, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2005

On a case by case basis.

Seems like you're a little bit offended by something that might be rather simple. You're almost done, why not just get the note and not worry about it?

It's probably a means to protect both you and the school (from liability - CYA) if something were to happen to you in a clinical setting - an accident, exposure to illness, etc.

Good luck, and congrats! :)

Fiona59 · Jan 14, 2005

We didn't have anyone get pregnant. I guess the family planning lectures sunk in.

The note is for your own wellbeing and the schools peace of mind. Many women I've worked with have been asked to have dr's approval to continue in the last two months. Depends upon how physical the work is. I've known NA's who only worked until month 7 and started their mat. leave early.

I don't think it was meant as a discrimination tactic against you. They probably want to know that you are fit enough to go where ever they send you.

Jess-RN in 2006 · Jan 14, 2005

case by case here also...I'm also currently pregant, although my due date is about two weeks before my senior year starts.....I was put on lifiting restrictions by my midwife, no more than 25lbs.....also told to stay out of infectious areas....I had to have a note from my midwife and also have a meeting with the employee health nurse just to go over things. I dont anticipate any more problems, only have to see the nurse if my restrictions change.....and I agree with the liability thing....I think thats why I had to deal with our employee health.....just means I can do any moving of pts on my own....no big deal, my instructors are very accommadating

RNSuzq1, RN · Jan 14, 2005

Curious, since I am currently pregnant and in my final semester of ADN program. My due date and final exam date are right around the same time.

Hi RN, Congrats on the "new edition" to your family and upcoming graduation... We just started our 2nd Semester - one student found out a few months ago that she was pregnant with her 3rd child, so she decided not to come back this semester. Another student (who I don't know very well) must have been a couple of months along when we started in August because she is due next week.

She is very tall, wears loose clothing and does not have much of a belly - funny thing is, until someone told a few of our Instructors recently, they didn't know she was pregnant (because to look at her, you can't tell). We can only miss a few hours of clinicals and a few class hours - since she's due next week, I have no idea what her plans are, but from what I've heard, she plans on continuing. This would mean that she'd have no more than a couple of days off after giving birth. I've had 3 children and can't even imagine physically being able to sit in class all day or attend clinicals days after giving birth, let alone being able to leave my brand new baby, but that's just me. I'm assuming that since she started this semester last week, she has some sort of plan to make it all work.

As far as your situation goes, if you aren't due until the time you graduate, I can't see it being a problem (and actually it sounds like perfect timing on your part). I was working in a Navy hospital when I was pregnant with my first child and I "literally" worked up until the day I gave birth. I went home from work on my last scheduled day and was back again that night to give birth. I did however have 2 months off for maternity leave, I wouldn't have survived without that time to physically heal and spend time hugging/kissing and bonding with my new baby boy. Best of luck to you.. Sue

sweetyjen · Jan 14, 2005

There have been a couple of girls pregnant in my nursing class since the beginning of nursing school. The instructors had to make sure they kept them out of areas with xrays, chemicals or anything else that could potentially harm mother/baby. So they asked us to tell them if we are pregnant just so they can help keep us safe. I doubt they are trying to discriminate against you. One girl had her baby via c-section on a monday and was seriously back to class on friday. This was last year, fall 03. She has stuck with the program and has done well.

FarmgrrlRN · Jan 14, 2005

We've had three babies born throughout our program and #4 is due next month. Two had c-sections and one lady partsl...all of them took 1 week off from class (missed two clinicals & two lectures) after they gave birth. They were required to be cleared by their MDs or midwives that they were fit to return.

shyne · Jan 14, 2005

Our school requires a doctor's note as well. It's not a big deal, they just want to make sure that you're physically well enough to continue through.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2005

It's a liability thing. I'm sure some pregnant nursing student 50 years ago sued a school somewhere for making her go to clinicals the same as other students and got hurt. They are just protecting themselves.

Also, just because you haven't heard of it, you can bet anyone who didn't pass their initial physical needs a doctors note to go to clinicals. There may not be anyone in your class though.

I'm getting my RN to BSN at a school that requires no clinicals, but may ask you do to some things at your employer, like attend meetings, do interviews and such. I have to get a physical and a doctors note to say I'm physically fit to attend these kinds of things at a place I'm already employed. Makes sense to someone I'm sure.

jschut, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2005

I figure with all these things that we have to do for nursing school.....alot of them are just yet another hoop to jump through in order to get my degree.

It probably isn't an issue aimed directly at you, just a CYA type thing.

Hang in there, you'll be finished soon! Then the real hoop-jumping starts! :)

aegirl · Jan 14, 2005

We don't have anyone that is pregnant in my class. I'm sure the reason they want a note is so they have it documented. Plus i'm sure you have some kind of weight restriction and they need that documented so they know...atleast they need it documented at my school.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2005

It does sound like discrimination but like Tweety says, it's a liability thing. They're not forbidding you from participating.

If you were in my school however, you would be forbidden but only in semester 4. The rationale is that because a nurse was violently killed by a psych patient in our state not too long ago, the administration feels the need to take CYA to a higher level. Our psych rotation is in 4th semester.

We have a pregnant woman who looks to be in about her 6th month in our third semester. She is repeating so that she doesn't lose her skills since she couldn't advance with the rest of her class to fourth. I don't know if this is all legal but it's what's happening.