Pregnant Nurse - Vent

Published

I am the only pregnant nurse on my floor and the charge nurse assigns me a patient with VRE and on chemo drugs. I told her that I do not appreciate this assignment which is probably why our problem escalated than resolved. I know, I get more with honey and ask with a smile right? Anyway, after my little complaint to her, she tells me you can take them as long as you take proper precaution. Fine, I know that. However, I reasoned with her, I am the only pregnant nurse, can I not take/trade with someone else. The charge nurse answered, why don't you divide the nurses, call the clinical supervisor, call the house supervisor etc. it was so stressful, I started contracting since im always on the verge of labor daily anyways. (I always have s/s of premature labor, low back pain, baby pushing, contraction but they always stop when I lay down and have water). Anyway, I went home very dissatisfied with the nice accommodations of my charge nurse. I always take isolation patients but the chemo part is what I am not allowing myself to get into. This lady pees everywhere anyway and I do not have a tech and her vre is in her urine and her chemo drugs will go out in her urine. Argghhhh.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I thought pregnant RNs COULDN'T take isolation pts OR chemo pts? That's what I've always seen. I assumed that was how it was done across the board.

I'd call Infection Control for policy clarification on at least half that, and I'd refresh my memory with standards of practice on the other. That's messed up.

I don't believe you should get 'special privileges', and I don't think you do either, but I think a bit of common sense is in order. Good God.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, OB/GYN.
I thought pregnant RNs COULDN'T take isolation pts OR chemo pts? That's what I've always seen. I assumed that was how it was done across the board.

I'd call Infection Control for policy clarification on at least half that, and I'd refresh my memory with standards of practice on the other. That's messed up.

I don't believe you should get 'special privileges', and I don't think you do either, but I think a bit of common sense is in order. Good God.

I thought this, too. It's explicitly written out in our contracts, actually.

This website has information about pregnant women caring for patients receiving chemotherapy. It outlines OSHA's recommendations on this as well. Look up your employer's policy, familiarize yourself with what OSHA says, and contact your manager. Your coworker is in need of serious re-education.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCCN.

we have so many iso pts it would be impossible to not have one in the assignment mix.

But the chemo thing- I think thats wrong. Can you work on a different floor or something that doesnt have chemo?

Or better yet, can your doc pull you out early for the premature ctx?

I do charge at times as do many of my co workers do. I know we would accomodate the chemo thing. The iso is difficult, but we do not give pg nurses shingles pts either.

Sorry you work with an inflexible person

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I find this nurses behavior deplorable...while pregnancy shouldn't be the reason for special treatment...there are certain things that they should avoid. If there was another assignment available that would accommodate you they technically have to provide this....pregnancy can be considered a protected class and another assignment....a reasonable accommodation

The National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) Preventing Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic and other Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings contains detailed information about safe-handling practices, including handling recommendations while pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Shame on them.

((HUGS)) Take a deep breath.....do some research....and go back into work armed with information to educate everyone. Check your policy and ask for a meeting with HR and your manager about how uncomfortable this made you. That supervisor should have known better shame on her as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I really appreciate all response. I have been reading all about OSHA and CDC recommendations and will call HR to find out hospital policy so the charge nurse will not do this again to another pregnant nurse. There was one week that she wanted to pass on all the iso patients to me because we have a nurse who is on chemo. I am really getting frustrated with this kind of treatment and I wish there is a way to get her off the charge position. She puts all her friends on easy assignments including herself but that is a different thread altogether. Thanks again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Well...the chemo nurse should have accommodations as well.....but this nurse needs some education.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Both you and the nurse on chemo should have accommodations. Pregnant nurses shouldn't take chemo patients. I did take isolation patients, but never had to worry about chemo too much because we didn't do much chemo in the neuro ICU. However we did give some oral chemo. If it was noted we would not assign to a pregnant nurse. Your charge nurse needs some serious education.

I don't see why you couldn't have traded one pt with a co worker.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

The nurse on chemo should not have to be compromised. All needs must be taken into consideration.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCCN.
why don't you divide the nurses, call the clinical supervisor, call the house supervisor etc.

She puts all her friends on easy assignments including herself but that is a different thread altogether

Quite obvious this charge has a problem with you/your situation. Jerk.

Since Ms Smarty pants wants you to call the supervisor- is it possible you could do that? Sounds like anywhere else would be better than here you are now d/t bullying ( cause thats how I see it) Could HR assign you somewhere else temporarily( or permanent)?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

The nurse on chemo shouldn't have to take isolation patients. How about you take her isolation patients and she takes your chemo patients?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

I think the issue with the one patient was she had Chemo *and* VRE.

I had my first pregnancy at the height if the H1N1 scare. I did not take a patient on respiratory isolation the entire time, and there were a lot of them. I made up for this by helping my coworkers with other tasks with their non-isolation patients.

I also consistently took patients with MRSA and VRE, really, if you are following proper contact precautions and PPE this shouldn't be a big risk to you.

The chemo patient is a little different, especially since you say that she is incontinent. I will say that while pregnant I did have a patient one day on oral chemo, I just asked a coworker to administer the drug per our faculty policy, but I was not exposed to this gentleman's bodily fluids as he was a walkie-talkie.

It can be tough as a charge to accommodate everyone's special needs. If you only have two nurses and one is preggers and the other immunocompromised it makes for a tough assignment sheet, but I think for contact isolation the nurse on chemo is going to win.

Are there really no other nurses in at the same time who could be assigned some of these patients?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion