being a pregnant nurse in the ED?

Belle2013 · Oct 17, 2013

We have several nurses who are pregnant. They work in all the areas...triage, shock trauma, medical, minor, and hold over. One was put on light duty and she went to triage during her shifts. I think it just depends on the person. Most women work through their pregnancies. I am actively trying and have no worries about my ability to do the job while pregnant. You'll get your feel for things once you get started. I was questioning my "want" to work in ER because I knew I wanted to get pregnant so I understand where you are coming from. I think it's the same as working in any other job while your pregnant except you have the possibility of being exposed to diseases. If it's a disease a pregnant woman shouldn't be around often your co workers will switch a room with you to keep you safe. ER is all about teamwork so I'm sure you'll be fine!

Altra, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2013

I have worked with a dozen or more nurse, medic, PA/CRNP and physician coworkers who were pregnant. Most worked until nearly their due date, and those that didn't had pregnancy-related issues unrelated to working in the ED.

BrooklynRN11201 · Oct 18, 2013

awesome, thank you both! this puts my mind at ease a bit :)

YorkieMomRN · Oct 19, 2013

...often your co workers will switch a room with you to keep you safe. ER is all about teamwork so I'm sure you'll be fine!

I think the most important thing to remember is to not EXPECT your coworkers to pick up your slack and to be appreciative of it and not make up excuses to sit around. I shadowed in the emergency room and there was a nurse who was pregnant and just kept refusing assignments for ridiculous reasons. The nurse manager was tired of the complaints from the other staff and told her to get to work or get on leave because her job was at risk for being lazy, not for being pregnant.

The key is to make sure that you aren't viewed as the lazy nurse for refusing the new chest pain patient or leg pain patient. They will try to accommodate you by minimizing the infectious disease patients, but you came to work to work. So just be sure to continue to be a team player and your coworkers won't mind helping you out. :)

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2013

Me and my husband are planning on trying for a baby next year and I plan to keep working in the ER. I know it could be tiring, but I plan to keep working as long as I can. My ER is pretty good about trying to give pregnant nurses triage assignments once they get later on in their pregnancy.

Remember, any area of nursing can by hard when pregnant, not just ER, so even if you were working in a different area it would still be a lot of on your feet back breaking work.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2013

I had both of my children while working in the ED. Once I got too big to be useful....just kidding. But my last few weeks were spent in triage. My co-workers were very good at protecting my from violent patients and I made sure I wore a mask when someone had a fever and stiff neck or a cough.

sandyfeet · Oct 26, 2013

We have had a lot of pregnant nurses in my ED. I would say 90% are truly amazing, hardworking, and a pleasure to work with. But the other 10%, I have to echo previously stated sentiment: you came to work. Don't expect me to start all of your IVs, medicate your patients, and then discharge them so you can sit at the nurse's station. We work as a team and you need to do your part!

ERRNDeans · Nov 5, 2013

I agree with your sentiment sandyfeet, Pregnancy is not a disease!