Pregnant and 8 hour night shift.

Nurses General Nursing

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So I have recently found out I am pregnant! My question is ( and yes im thinking way way ahead here ) When I have the baby will my employer have to accommodate me if I cannot not work 11p to 7a?

I live in NJ, and work in a large busy ER as a tech. My bf also works nights, sorta. He works for a seafood distributor as a driver and the absolute latest he can possible go into work is 5am. He currently goes in at 2am.

This means I have to leave work by 3am.

We have 2 managers in the ER...and it's kinda like good cop bad cop. One is awesome and will always listen and do what he can.... the other is like talking to a wall. When the time comes I am going to speak to them but I was wondering if any one else has been in this situation and/or can help me understand my rights in this situation. Thanks :-)

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Well most likely they will ask you to move to another shift IF they have an opening on that shift.

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no, they do not have to make special accomodations for you for childcare issues. You can apply for a different shift if one is available.

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I've never heard of a nurse being able to go home because she can't work a whole shift. Nurses either work 8 or 12 hour shifts which is what he/she is hired for. The only thing I can think of is a part time home care job which allows more flexibility if it's a private person not working for an agency. I have an almost 9 month old and I wish I could only work a few hours, lol. I'm allowed pumping breaks but that's about it. Good luck!

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Thanks for your replies. This is my first pregnancy so I'm still in a bit of shock :-). A few days before I found out I actually applied for a 3-11p position which would be perfect. Should I just wait and see if i get it or should I talk to my employer now? Its still very early and wasn't planning on telling anyone until for another month... even though I want to tell the world lol

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Specializes in Emergency.

I would talk to your employer now, but if you want to wait to share it with the whole world, you can ask that they do not reveal this about you! It's great that you have already applied for the 3-11, hopefully you will get it, and congratulations!

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Congrats by the way. I always say not to tell anyone until at least 12-14 weeks.

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Specializes in ER.

I missed how the preganancy has anything to do with the scheduling problem.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i missed how the preganancy has anything to do with the scheduling problem.

it doesn't. the op asks if child care issues will require her employer to make an accommodation.

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Specializes in Emergent pre-hospital care as a medic.

Your employer isn't required to make any accommodations for you. Childcare is the sole responsibility of the parent. I can't fathom anyone thinking otherwise. I know plenty of people who were able to switch shifts or whatever to accommodate their own needs but from an employer's standpoint your parental status isn't their concern. You were hired to work x,y, z shift.

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Specializes in Medical, Surgical, Critical-Care.

I had the same is, as I had no family where I lived. Since I worked 12 hrs, my bf worked the days I was off and vise versa. Later, I applied for day shift when it was available and that helped even more. We were working opposite shifts.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Aww, yay! Congrats on your pregnancy!

But I have to say...I got a bit of a laugh at the idea that employers could be somehow obligated to work around an employee's childcare needs. if only. But then it would be pretty unfair to all the childless folk out there, who would also be liable to pick up our slack ;)

Unfortunately, you are obligated to find a way to work the hours you were hired to work. They make babysitters for that.

Hopefully you're able to switch shift when you come back from maternity leave. Seems like that would be your best bet!

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