Pregnant New Graduate Nurse

Published

Hi All,

I would like the advice of others on the following, I'm a new graduate and I have just been hired for my dream job as a new graduate nurse. I am signing a 2 year contract and the first 10 months includes orientation through 2 different units. I am currently 14wks pregnant, So I won't be delivering until late march of 2011. I dont want to conceal the pregnancy for too long but I'm terrified by horror stories. I have been thinking to work at least 1 full month and go above and beyond the call of duty to prove my worthiness in my new position before informing them. But I would love the advice or encouragement from anyone who has had a similar situation. I need this job and want it more than anything so I just want to make sure I do everything to keep it. Also-- doesnt everyone think that being a nurse (is almost the best career in which people, more specifially nurse managers want to work with their "good employees") Thanks for your responses!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

I am also a new RN who is also pregnant...though I am jobless. Been applying and been interviewing, but nothing so far. Sigh.

I too am curious about other's responses. And please keep us posted on your own situation.

Good luck with everything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yea scarey, def. not planned however I want to know that I'm going to hold on to it as well. The job market is flooded and with probational periods I'm clueless to what (at worse) could happen. I'll keep you posted, also advice for finding a job --- you have to know someone high up on the inside!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

I know. Its all very political. :-(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You don't really have to reveal now that you are pregnant if you don't want to. However, they will find out eventually obviously. Just tell them when you believe it is the right time. Do your best now and prove that you are worthy of the position. Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

a good friend of mine actually just got hired on a hectic floor.. and let me tell you.. she's 7 months pregnant when she got hired, and due in several weeks. the crazy thing is, the hospital had 1000+ applicants, and she was chosen among 8 new grads. several days after, Dr put her on maternity leave! management didn't say much actually. They let her go on maternity leave and she will be back on winter quarter.

they actually liked her for her and wanted to hire her regardless of her pregnancy!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
Hi All,

nurse managers want to work with their "good employees") Thanks for your responses!

Yes they do, and their "good employees" are also their honest employees. If you start working for a month, then tell them, that sounds a little bit dishonest to me. I would tell them if I were you. If you tell them you can discuss how long you are expecting to be on maternity leave, so all the cards are on the table. They may not hire you, but if you hide the fact that you are pregnant just to get the job, your manager will most likely not be very happy with you. I can't imagine this would lead to a great work atmosphere.

Good luck and God bless.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Office, Home Health, School Nurse.

I'm with the above poster who said it seems a bit dishonest...you're already hired so I don't see them firing you over being a few months pregnant...your maternity leave is still quite a ways off...

If you were 6 or 7 weeks pregnant, then I might say you could put it off a month or so...but you're at the point that you definitely know you're pregnant and in a month or so, if you tell them they are going to know that you've kept it from them...So I would go ahead, tell them, and assure them that you're going to do your best and will be back after maternity leave.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am not a 100% sure about this but I don't think legally they can fire or make a hiring decision based on your pregnancy. I am fairly certain that would be discrimination.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I would be up front with your employer. That way you can look at your orientation together and make any need adjustments.

I was in the NICU for 12 years and a preceptor for several of those years. For every new group of interns we got, one of them was pregnant or got pregnant shortly after starting. It was never been a problem, but it did sometimes change their orientation a little or even a lot.

Honestly is always the best policy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes they cannot fire you due to pregnancy.....but they can always use another reason to do so.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I dont want to conceal the pregnancy for too long but I'm terrified by horror stories. I have been thinking to work at least 1 full month and go above and beyond the call of duty to prove my worthiness in my new position before informing them

As a male and a father, I'm a bit saddened that a woman should have to fear an employers potential negative response to a pregnancy as if it were a workmans comp case. An unnesessarily harsh reality I suppose.

Since you've not as yet disclosed this in the interview process, I suspect early disclosure is your next best course.

If no one else has already, let me extend a double congratulations on both your new job, as well as your new baby.

Best wishes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion