Pregnant nursing student! What do I do?

[bellanurse30]

I just found out yesterday that I am now 11 weeks pregnant. For the last few months I had my menstrual as normal and even went to my GYN for an IUD since I believed I was currently menstruating. My uterus was enlarged and she then sent me for ultrasound where I saw my baby for the first time. All limbs were present, heartbeat strong and my baby was very active. I cried because I instantly fell in love. Only issue is that I am currently in school and graduate this August from the LPN program. I am due in October but not sure when would be a good time to let my instructor know and wondering if it will hinder me from certain clinical exposures as well as hurt my chances to be be employed in one of the facilities I am currently doing rotations in....WHAT DO I DO?

[iteachob, MSN, RN]

I went to graduate school, and acted as a clinical instructor in an ADN program while pregnant........oh, and at the ripe old age of 41!

It can be done. You've received some good advice from the above posters.

[futureRN_Anastasia]

All I can say is CONGRATULATIONS! :)

I found out that I was pregnant in my first year of nursing school, so I had to postpone my studies, I am resuming them in the upcoming September. You are going to be fine, you are almost done with the program, and then you are going to have a baby and that's great! :)

:heartbeat

[Lovely_RN, MSN]

Congrats and think positive! I was pregnant during my last semester of the Rn program. I worked 4 shifts as an LPN, went to school full-time, and I was about 7 months pregnant at the pinning. It was hard but it can be done. One of my classmates had her baby at the start of our final semester and only took a week off for the C-section.

[su9032]

You may need a doctors note that says you can participate in clinicals as a formality.

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

Congrats!!!!!!:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat

We had a couple pregnant nursing students in my class and everyone was fine. One girl had her baby, missed Monday class, Tues and Wed clinical, and then was back in school that Monday. You'll probably be fine.

[MedSurgeMe]

Congrats! Definitely let them know. Other posters mentioned some things to stay away from... I'd also be sure to avoid X-rays. And pay attention to which meds say "hazardous" as the hazard is often for pregnant women. DEFINITELY wear gloves when touching any of these items. Also, DON'T crush any hazardous drugs. (That goes for everyone, not just the preggers... The pills have to be crushed in pharmacy under a fume hood.)

When you get to different facilities, I'd ask the pharmacist how that facility demarcates a hazardous drug from a regular one. When in doubt, where the gloves. Enjoy your baby!

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Congratulations!!!

Pregnant nurses (and nursing students!) should NOT work with:

+ pts with measles (rubella/rubeola)

+ varicella

+ parovirus (Fifth's Disease or "slapface"...this is seen in the peds population)

+ chemo drugs

+ radiation

everything else is okay, as long as you adhere to the correct precautions and have good hand hygiene :)

[Devie06]

How young are you, if you dont mind sharing? You did not have any signs of pregnancy? I only ask because it terrifies me at the thought of being pregnant when you think you are having menstration! My period was really weird this month, your post makes me paranoid lol!

[kakamegamama]

Congratulations! When I taught, the only thing I was concerned about was making sure I didn't assign a pregnant student something that could put her/baby at risk, and to be sure they understood that pregnancy is a life event, not a handicap. Fellow students (and I) enjoyed watching mom bloom, and delighted when ultrasound pics were shared. Life is really hard sometimes, so the hope that a baby brings was often a welcome relief. Best wishes to you & enjoy!