Pregnancy Discrimination - Interview

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I have read more than a few threads on here and quite frankly I am a little appauled at the attitudes. No wonder women ask if they should hide the pregnancy! They're discriminated by female nursing collegues right from the start and treated as though it were 1950. "No, you should wait until after you have the baby." Well, I think most nurses on here are used to a higher standard of living than a cardboard box, and that's what happens when you can't pay bills. I have an interview scheduled soon and still waver on what to do. It is for a per diem position and it is not an oncology floor. I think honesty is best, but in this economy, just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I want to put nursing on hold for a year while my skills dwindle. It's already competitive enough! I could understand the NM being worried about staffing shortages, but I never called off a day in my previous position...why would I call in sick now(my horrible vomiting has passed.) Here's hoping I have decent luck with per diem.

Oh, and one other thing, my maternity care is at the same hospital as the interview and has been fabulous. I would love to compliment the care I've received at that hospital in the inverview, but am afraid I may "shoot myself in the foot."

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
Many pregnant nurses play the "I'm pregnant card". That's probably why managers are wary to hire them.

I hate to agree about this, but I haven't worked in hospitals all that long and I'd had me a nice paycheck if I got a dollar every time I've heard "I can't do XYZ" from pregnant staffers. Primarily all the contact rooms they are all paranoid about going into. One girl does a 30 minute quiz where she asks every nurse about their patients' medical histories to make sure they've never never never had shingles before she will agree to do her job and take vitals in the morning. It can get exhausting, but hey, it's a female dominated career field, what are you gonna do.

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I hate to agree about this, but I haven't worked in hospitals all that long and I'd had me a nice paycheck if I got a dollar every time I've heard "I can't do XYZ" from pregnant staffers. Primarily all the contact rooms they are all paranoid about going into. One girl does a 30 minute quiz where she asks every nurse about their patients' medical histories to make sure they've never never never had shingles before she will agree to do her job and take vitals in the morning. It can get exhausting, but hey, it's a female dominated career field, what are you gonna do.

That stinks, but yeah, I have to agree I've seen it too. On a previous floor I worked one of the pregnant nurses was also the laziest. Then again, she was also the one sitting down charting 5 minutes after shift started. (Um, how did you do all those assessments already?) But, I think it entirely depends on the nurse. I've also seen pregnant nurses that were very helpful.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
That stinks, but yeah, I have to agree I've seen it too. On a previous floor I worked one of the pregnant nurses was also the laziest. Then again, she was also the one sitting down charting 5 minutes after shift started. (Um, how did you do all those assessments already?) But, I think it entirely depends on the nurse. I've also seen pregnant nurses that were very helpful.

You know, I really hope you get the job. Just from this one thread I think I would love to work with you. I appreciate you allowing me to be honest and not coming back at the honesty with an attitude. Best of luck and congratulations on your new addition!

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You know, I really hope you get the job. Just from this one thread I think I would love to work with you. I appreciate you allowing me to be honest and not coming back at the honesty with an attitude. Best of luck and congratulations on your new addition!

Aw, thanks. :) I appreciate your honesty. I value genuine feedback and try not to take anything personally.

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Specializes in Emergency.

There are so many if's and's and Buts about pregnancy that I can see that there might be some reservations about hiring in pregnancy. It is unfortunate that we are there, but...I can see the uncertainty, especially as I have seen many, not all, but many nurses decide to take 6 months off, after having been out for 2...and then some who leave entirely. Even though you say you would not, and you would not...some people end up doing that, and if a manager has been burned with providing training and what not...I can see where they would be leary.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in critical care, Med-Surg.

All things being equal, you will no doubt be a less attractive candidate. Unfair? Sure. But it's true b/c of all the things OPs have outlined.

Staffing is a huge issue for managers. Hiring and training new employees is a huge expense, and they want a return on their investment.

While I generally do not like to operate this way, I would say nothing about my pregnancy. And prn work is prob your best bet. You will feel less "guilty" about your non disclosure that way. And it will give you more flexibility.

You will be able to "prove" yourself, and then apply for FT after baby is born. And CONGRATULATIONS!

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All things being equal, you will no doubt be a less attractive candidate. Unfair? Sure. But it's true b/c of all the things OPs have outlined.

Staffing is a huge issue for managers. Hiring and training new employees is a huge expense, and they want a return on their investment.

While I generally do not like to operate this way, I would say nothing about my pregnancy. And prn work is prob your best bet. You will feel less "guilty" about your non disclosure that way. And it will give you more flexibility.

You will be able to "prove" yourself, and then apply for FT after baby is born. And CONGRATULATIONS!

So why is non disclosure viewed so heinously by employers? I view my work practices as ethically sound, and don't want to come across as "questionable" in any way. But, I REALLY want this job...so why does it make me the bad guy to hide it? I am fully capable to perform the per diem job asked of me IMHO.

p.s. thanks!

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
That stinks, but yeah, I have to agree I've seen it too. On a previous floor I worked one of the pregnant nurses was also the laziest. Then again, she was also the one sitting down charting 5 minutes after shift started. (Um, how did you do all those assessments already?) But, I think it entirely depends on the nurse. I've also seen pregnant nurses that were very helpful.

Yes there are! Some of them you wouldn't even know are pregnant.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
So why is non disclosure viewed so heinously by employers? I view my work practices as ethically sound, and don't want to come across as "questionable" in any way. But, I REALLY want this job...so why does it make me the bad guy to hide it? I am fully capable to perform the per diem job asked of me.

p.s. thanks!

Allow me to continue to "debate" with you because I really think you are wanting to understand and not just get ticked off. It can sometimes be fun to have opposing discussions with people that just isn't about getting mad!

Actually I think you have a decent chance because you really are only seeking PRN position (and I'm loving your attitude and ultimately that wins me over everytime). A PRN pregnant hire would be less likely to tick my entire staff off come the holidays because they wouldn't necessarily feel they were getting the shaft.

As to the non-disclosure issue: Ultimately, it's just not fair. To flip the tables again: I need that replacement nurse when my PG nurse goes on leave. Imagine if I hired a nurse, told them I had full time hours for them but failed to disclose it was only for a 2 months. That would be very unfair to the employee, just as it is unfair to the employer when the applicant fails to disclose their pregnancy.

It's just a no win situation for both of us it seems. I also wonder how a new hire is eligible for any leave of absence time. You may want to check into that (as discreetly as you choose to do so. :))

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I think you have to do what you have to do and that hiding your pregnancy is probably in your own best interest (but won't win you any friends after it is disclosed). I think 99% of hiring managers, when faced with equally qualified candidates and one is pregnant and others are not are going to hire a "not pregnant" candidate. When candidates are equally qualified, that is not discrimination. That is hiring the person most likely to meet the needs of the unit.

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Allow me to continue to "debate" with you because I really think you are wanting to understand and not just get ticked off. It can sometimes be fun to have opposing discussions with people that just isn't about getting mad!

Actually I think you have a decent chance because you really are only seeking PRN position (and I'm loving your attitude and ultimately that wins me over everytime). A PRN pregnant hire would be less likely to tick my entire staff off come the holidays because they wouldn't necessarily feel they were getting the shaft.

As to the non-disclosure issue: Ultimately, it's just not fair. To flip the tables again: I need that replacement nurse when my PG nurse goes on leave. Imagine if I hired a nurse, told them I had full time hours for them but failed to disclose it was only for a 2 months. That would be very unfair to the employee, just as it is unfair to the employer when the applicant fails to disclose their pregnancy.

It's just a no win situation for both of us it seems. I also wonder how a new hire is eligible for any leave of absence time. You may want to check into that (as discreetly as you choose to do so. :))

Even though it's a "no-win" situation, can I come work for you anyway? ;) We've bonded in this thread. I'm not being facetious...well, I guess I am sort of because I doubt we're in the same state. My husband says the same thing. Full disclosure. But I hate being at a disadvantage from the get go. Whaa!

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