Pregnancy and job applications

[diamondmeadows, BSN, RN]

Hello, everyone! :)

I graduated with a BSN in May 2009. I have been actively seeking a job since then with no success. I am also pregnant, and my baby is due this May.

I am still applying for jobs, but I have started to wonder whether this is appropriate now that I am entering my third trimester. I feel that it is unlikely that anyone will hire me, and if I somehow manage to get an interview, I don't want to the nurse manager to feel that I am wasting her/his time, because there are a limited number of employers in my area and I definitely want to be considered for future opportunities. On the other hand, I want to start my first nursing job so much, and it's hard to just pass up opportunities.

What do you think? Should I keep applying even though I am 28 weeks pregnant? If so, is there a time when I should stop?

Thank you! :heartbeat

[ItsTheDude]

i would continue applying, it pretty much speaks for itself about your desire for a job.

[Heloisea3]

I can really relate to you. I am pregnant and due June 7th. I am also showing, so it is obvious that I'm pregnant. I graduated May of 2009, but I did not start appyling until December for personal reasons. I must have put in 100 applications or more. I would sit down for hours and put in for multiple positions at every single hospital I could think of within driving distance. I couldn't even get a call back. Finally, I applied at one hospital that I had not considered before, and I was hired right away. I was shocked. During the interview, I did tell the nurse manager that I was pregnant. You are not required to, and many people advise against it. However, I told the nurse manager that I just wanted to be up front with her because I know she had to schedule new nurses to be with preceptors and to plan for our orientation, etc. She seemed to really appreciate the fact that I was up front with her, and she hired me on the spot. If you want to start working right away, I would keep putting in as many applications as possible for every kind of position you think that you might even be remotely qualified for. Whenever I applied to a certain hospital, I would appy for every single position they had available unless they specifically required certifications that I did not have or years of experience. I know it gets really discouraging after a while, but keep at it, and hopefully, someone will give you a chance. Good luck with your job hunt and your pregnancy.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Have you talked with your doctor?

I advise against telling anyone you're pregnant, if you're not showing. Why give them any reason to use against you. Legally, they are not allowed to ask and you are not required to tell.

[caliotter3]

At this point, I would hold off until after you deliver. Don't give them a reason to silently dismiss you as a candidate. If you haven't been contacted for an interview by now, 10 more weeks will most likely not make a difference, but appearing for an interview without your "passenger", might make all the difference in the world. Besides, take a break from the stress of job hunting and concentrate on a peaceful delivery. Good luck with getting a job after little one is here!

[rn4ever?]

Personally, I would wait. What if you get a good job offer but you have to be off from work right away because you have to deliver your baby? Also, what if you needed and wanted to spend some time with the baby afterwards? You still don’t have FMLA and if they are badly in need of staff, they might just let you go and hire somebody else. So I believe it’s best to wait. Also, even if you don't tell the hiring personnel that you are pregnant, once you get the job and you need to take time off to deliver, then they will still know eventually of course.