Per diem job interview, do I tell I'm pregnant?

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics.

I am interviewing to transfer internally for a per diem Oncology position. I am currently 11 weeks pregnant. Should I tell the nurse manager I am pregnant? I know they can't discriminate but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. My plan was to not mention anything unless she asks why per diem? Since I am still young. If she doesn't ask that I don't know how or when to bring it up during interview anyway. In that case I'd let her know after a job offer. Does that sound like it's the right thing to do? Or should I not say anything until after job offer? I am a very honest person and this is a difficult position for me! I am very excited and passionate about oncology and feel blessed to have an interview opportunity!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

don't say anything. it's none of their business, and its just as easy not to give them even a subconscious reason to discriminate against you.

but if you are pregnant, you need to know that there are a lot of chemo agents which are teratogens, and you may not be able to be around them anyway. and cmv is common in the immunosuppressed. sure you want to do that job right now?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

I used to work onco before I relocated to Philly since there were no onco positions then. We had pregnant women on our floor when I used to work onco. We assigned them patients that were safe for them while they were pregnant. Onco nurses get pregnant and I'm sure there's a policy on what they can do and they do that for them. I'm afraid if I don't take this opportunity than who knows when the next will be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Are you going to be hanging chemo? If you're going to hang chemo in your new position, how are you going to explain that you can't because you're pregnant? Honestly, this is a situation where I can't see how you couldn't tell them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If possible, I would just wait until after the baby is born, and you've finished breast feeding. I know you love what you do, but make sure your decision is safe for the baby. You can always do it later on. They will likely ask if you're preggers anyway given that it's chemo and everything. If they didn't hire for it, it wouldn't be that they're discriminating. They just need to make sure you and your baby are safe.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

I just posted a heap of stuff & lost it - again. This happens a lot on this site.

You are almost asking permission from us to lie. No I think it's not OK. My old boss did recruitment & she hated it when people fessed up they were pg - if they had to go to radiology, they wouldn't cos they were pg.

She used to say @ interviews tell me if ur pg, it's not like u won't get the job, it's for staffing for later on & to allocate you correctly. My boss hated it when people lied to her re pregnancy.

I mean you WILL be taking time off won't you? And it's hard for bosses to get staff to cover for u around holidays like Xmas; they need to plan their rosters ahead of time.

And hanging chemo - you will need the double gloves & full face mask as it's so toxic.

Do the right thing and be honest. Why do you want to lie anyway? They're going to find out, and I for one would not be impressed with you. They may even find a reason late to let you go.

Be honest & do the right thing - just tell them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd wait til I was offered the job, then tell them before you start. There's plenty you could still do as an RN while pregnant, but at the same time you'd be safe. Lots of nurses get pregnant and still work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would never mention this during an interview. Why give them a reason to clandestinely discriminate?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In regards to Onco it is less about discrimination and more about the health of the baby. You have worked oncology before but this is before you were pregnant.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

I would say maybe it would be okay with a different department, but well. This is oncology. Chemotherapies and such procedures that pregnancy wouldn't allow you to do. If that's the reason you are hired, if that will be a very common and main thing you are going to do, and you have an excuse not to do it, why even work there? How would your co-workers handle working with a nurse who can't hang chemo but needs them to do it? Or how do you assume they are going to be very nice about it and give you type of patients who are safe for you? You will have to tell them first day at work for precautions anyway, right? I think you should tell them now or it won't be nice to tell them after being hired. You can work there once it is safe for you to do so.

Your post sounds like the nurses who can't hang blood for religious reasons but want to work in ICU.

I maybe blunt, but these are things to consider before you hide anything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would tell right after you are hired, you are only 11 weeks its possible that you just found out you were pregnant after you were hired.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

BUT... the other nurse has good points, its not fair to the other nurses you will be working with. At least not in this case.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion