Pregnant in nursing school.

smf0903 · Mar 27, 2014

That's not how it is where I'm at. We've had 4-5 gals who have been pregnant at various points through the program and they've been very good to them. I do know they have to sign a separate waiver if/when someone becomes pregnant during the program...a waiver also has to be signed during pre-reqs if you are pregnant/become pregnant during your semester of micro. :)

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2014

We had several women in our program who were pregnant during clinicals, and never once did I see any sort of retribution. A friend preloaded her clinical hours into the from of the semester in which she was due just because of the variability of her due date. She delivered a few weeks before the semester ended. I don't see it as unfortunate, it was the right timing for her family, regardless of finishing out school. I don't know about waivers, but I do know that she was expected to be able to do her job with patients as any other student would with the exception of patients with certain conditions (chickenpox, radiation, etc).

musingmom · Mar 27, 2014

I spent a semester pregnant in school. I suppose it really depends on the program, but everyone was really nice to me; no more or less than any of the other students. I gowned up for iso rooms just like everyone else. The obvious restrictions are with measles, radiation and oncology drugs, however it never came up for me in med surg rotations.

The biggest obstacle from my perspective is clinical hours... most programs will let you miss very few, if any (I could have zero absences). Any pregnant student must weigh their own pregnancy related issues against the possibility of missing class or clinical. Bad morning sickness or sciatica isn't an excuse, clinical must go on!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Mar 27, 2014

From what I've seen in nursing school, schools are A LOT more supportive of pregnant mom including the need of single moms than they used to be. When I first entered college in the 90's, the climate was more like the ones you've described. I don't see that attitude as much anymore with regard to my pregnant peers and peers who are moms/single moms.

She can probably get through it with a strong will to persevere and as long as she doesn't ask too many "favors".

Good luck to her!

NurseJesse · Mar 27, 2014

Hi! I just finished nursing school. I was pregnant with Twins. I had patients with HEP C, Gangrene, HIV, and some in contact isolation...my instructors and I would discuss my patients and I would agree to take them. Just remember, There are pregnant nurses all the time in the real world. It will be ok as long as you follow standard precautions. I delivered at 38 weeks. Took my finals and delivered the next day. :)

mrsboots87 · Mar 28, 2014

I think it would depen on the program, but for the most part schools and institutions are far more accepting of pregnancy durin school. In our semester orientation it is strongly advised against getting pregnant until after graduation but there is no "punishment" for getting pregnant. There is currently a 22 week preggo lady in my class who is keeping up just fine and is only required to bring in a doctor note after her appts stating if she has any restrictions and our school and the clinical site has been very accommodating. I can ony see this matter in if any restrictions placed will prevent her from practicing required skills in clinical to show competency. There are 2 pregnant ladies a semester ahead of me as well.

Nolli · Mar 28, 2014

The only stipulation in our program for pregnancy is that you can't get certain patient assignments and you must be medically cleared with a waiver signed by your doctor and submitted to clinical compliance for each individual clinical you take while pregnant.

suanna · Mar 28, 2014

Thanks so much for all the positive replies. I have an antiquated view of nursing education and appreciate a more current perspective. My family member will make a great nurse and I hated to think she may have derailed her career before it started.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 28, 2014

I asked a couple of our new grads, one of whom delivered early -- right in the middle of finals. She said she had some issues rescheduling her finals, but otherwise no problems. The other said her roommate was pregnant through her last semester of school and there was no "punishment."

I remember from my own BSN program in the 70s that one of our classmates delivered mid-semester. (She was obese, had irregular periods and didn't know she was pregnant. She and her husband, once they got over the shock, were thrilled! They had been trying for years!) She had to repeat the semester because she missed so much immediately after her daughter was born. But she graduated with the next class and reports that even the instructors were happy for her.

Wrench Party · Mar 29, 2014

Several women in my program were pregnant in school- one delivered right before we started our program, and even graduated pregnant with her second! I never saw any retribution from instructors- I'd say the instructors were fair with assignments.

As another poster said, she should keep it in the back of her mind that, if she has an unusually difficult pregnancy, she may have to withdraw for the semester d/t absences.

Beautiful Mind RN · Mar 29, 2014

We have a few classmates who were pregnant in my class. One did decide to take a semester or two off after she had her baby. The other had her baby last week and is already back at school (SHE'S A TROOPER!). There is another who is continuing on, even with the prospect of having her baby in May.

From what I saw, all of our cohort and teachers were completely supportive of these students and did accommodate them when necessary, but overall, they were still treated as any other student.

So compared to 30 years ago, there is definitely a change. :)