I would like opinions on a situation, preferably from those who have been in this situation, or managers who have dealt with it.
If a woman is pregnant, and applying for nursing jobs (as a NEW GRAD), how should she handle the discussion of the pregnancy with potential employers? I can't think of a reason to NOT apply for jobs as a new grad just because of a pregnancy. If the person anticipates being able to complete the assigned orientation and work load, is there any reason not to accept a job offer if given one?
Also, if it were you, once you had a job offer, how would you approach the subject with the nurse manager?
Obviously one would not want to appear sneaky, or like they were trying to hide the situation. It is a good thing. It is a temporary thing (pregnancy, not parenthood . And if the person has the right mind set, it will not impede a successful employee.
I would tell them about this. This is an important issue. They won't be too happy to find this out in a few months.
If I was the manager, I wouldn't hire a pregnant new grad. Because, especially in the hospitals, you get extensive training which is very expensive for the employer. When you are done with training, you will have to leave for birth, and you will have to start all over when you come back after a while. Big money waste for the hospital.
I would tell them about this. This is an important issue. They won't be too happy to find this out in a few months.
If I was the manager, I wouldn't hire a pregnant new grad. Because, especially in the hospitals, you get extensive training which is very expensive for the employer. When you are done with training, you will have to leave for birth, and you will have to start all over when you come back after a while. Big money waste for the hospital.
The bigger picture is ethics. Considering that this person is choosing to not disclose an event that will cause them to be absent for months - or possibly permanently if the new mom decides on the stay-at-home track after the child is born - I would wonder what else this person was not disclosing to me.
Hiring managers don't hire for style points. They hire because they need feet on the floor.
It is absolutely illegal to not hire someone because of their pregnancy. A number of people have admitted that they would break the law and discriminate against you if they were given the option of being in charge of hiring a pregnant nurse. I believe this is reason enough to NOT disclose the pregnancy until after you are hired.
I graduated on December of 2010, got my NCLEX done in March, I was 13 wks pregnant with my first child when I applied to this LTC/REH facility in March, I was interviewed on the spot, the DON told me she didn't have anything available at the time but she put a star on my resume, 2 weeks ago, I recieved a call from her wanting me for 2nd interview, now I am 26 weeks pregnant and I started showing a little bit, I was honest with her about it and she told me she still have to interview 4 other people, I was shocked when she called me and told me that I am hired.
you never know, just be honest up front, and if the job is meant to be for you, you will get it, if not, know that everything happen for a reason.
good luck with everything and let me know how you make out.
It is absolutely illegal to not hire someone because of their pregnancy. A number of people have admitted that they would break the law and discriminate against you if they were given the option of being in charge of hiring a pregnant nurse. I believe this is reason enough to NOT disclose the pregnancy until after you are hired.
I don't think this is discrimination. Her pregnancy's consequences will affect the hospital in a bad way, financially. This is just like some religion nurse who will refuse to administer blood transmissions on a critical care unit. Now, is this her religion? no, this is her actions and the consequences on patients and employer. would that nurse make a competent critical care nurse? not. this is just like it! it is not just "pregnancy". The hospital wants to train a new grad and wants them to serve the hospital for a while after that. Why would they hire someone who won't be able to do it when there are a bunch more applicants who will do what hospital wants? They will say you aren't the best fit for this position and eliminate the applicant. that's it.
We had 3 pregnant ladies in our graduating class. They all waited until after their child was born to start their career. I would ask the manager if it is going to be a problem once you have the job offer.
Just because it is illegal not to discriminate against someone because they are pregnant, doesnt mean it doesnt happen. The employer can make up any excuse, other than the pregnancy, as to why the person wasnt the right fit fir the job. It happens all the time.
I don't think this is discrimination. Her pregnancy's consequences will affect the hospital in a bad way, financially. This is just like some religion nurse who will refuse to administer blood transmissions on a critical care unit. Now, is this her religion? no, this is her actions and the consequences on patients and employer. would that nurse make a competent critical care nurse? not. this is just like it! it is not just "pregnancy". The hospital wants to train a new grad and wants them to serve the hospital for a while after that. Why would they hire someone who won't be able to do it when there are a bunch more applicants who will do what hospital wants? They will say you aren't the best fit for this position and eliminate the applicant. that's it.
It is absolutely discrimination and against the law. Title VII of the civil rights act of 1964 states that pregnancy based employment discrimination is illegal, and that pregnancy must be regarded by employers as any other temporary illness. It is letter (k), if you scroll down the page.
Yes, you are correct, it very much IS discrimination. The only thing is, I really want to work at this hospital in the future and I can see where some employers would look down on it a bit. So, that's kind of a catch 22.
I know that there are no guarantees, but I really have every intention of taking a very minimal maternity leave (4-6 wks) and working right up until the baby is born. As I said before, this isn't my first pregnancy, so I kind of know what to expect, and I feel like I will be able to juggle it.
Anyhow, I got the job offer! (and while we did not discuss the pregnancy in the interview, I was visibly,as in 6 months, pregnant at the time!) I have requested a meeting with the manager and I will get his feel on it. Obviously, he isn't going to take the offer back. But, if he seems to think that it is not going to be a good fit for the unit, I will decline the offer and wait until after the birth.
Thanks to everyone for their opinions and insight.
. And if the person has the right mind set, it will not impede a successful employee.
Seas
519 Posts
I would tell them about this. This is an important issue. They won't be too happy to find this out in a few months.
If I was the manager, I wouldn't hire a pregnant new grad. Because, especially in the hospitals, you get extensive training which is very expensive for the employer. When you are done with training, you will have to leave for birth, and you will have to start all over when you come back after a while. Big money waste for the hospital.