Pregnant with 2 semesters left of nursing school... Oops.

[AFwife727, BSN, RN]

My husband and I just found out I am pregnant. I'm about 5 weeks, according to what I'm guesstimating... If this is true, the baby will be born in my last semester of nursing school, exactly 2 months before I'm set to graduate (I'll be in preceptorship)... As you can probably imagine, I'm freaking out. Big time "OOPS!" I can't yet enjoy the fact that I'm pregnant (my husband is so ecstatic) because now I don't know what I'm going to do. I've been told that I will not want to leave my baby after delivery (and I think I may end up agreeing).... But I've worked so long and so hard for 4 years and I was looking forward to finally graduating and being a nurse. Can you imagine... only 2 months of nursing school left and not being able to graduate on time?!!

Another thing that bothers me is the fact that I also work as a nurse tech. As many of you already know, the job requires a lot of heavy lifting of patients, transferring, pushing, long hours standing, etc. There's also the risk of combative patients who try to punch and knee techs in the gut. NOT good for a pregnant woman. I haven't told my supervisors yet that I'm pregnant, as we haven't even told our families yet. I'm not even sure how I would tell them, because I've only worked there for 4 months and they've been wonderful in making accommodations for me (I am hearing impaired).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[vcurrin02]

I am kinda in the same situation as you. But I am 20 weeks preggo and I am going to start nursing school in Aug. I know that its going to be tough, but all of the nurses (I'm a tech at the hospital) are really supportive of me. Granted its going to be hard. But you have to do what you have to do. Our baby is due the end of November (Thanksgiving). Hubby is going to go on paternity leave for the two final weeks of the semester and I will be at home with the baby until 2nd semester starts. Then off to day care .... I hate to send my newborn to daycare so early but we have to do what we have to do. I declined the entry into nursing school for fall of 2010, so at this point there is nothing stopping me now!!! Good Luck, Trust in the Lord and he will provide away for you to finish on time!!!!

[sandanrnstudent]

MY advice is to have faith! I think being away from your newborn a few hours that last two months will be worth it to have the degree with which to support that babe.

just my two cents,

sandanrn

[AFwife727, BSN, RN]

Thanks, ladies. I think I can do it... It may be even tougher though because I'm a military wife too and I have to work around my husband's schedule. Hopefully there are no deployments in the next year or so!

[anonymousstudent]

We have had a lot of babies lately, and all of those students have come back within a few weeks and are doing fine. Get your support system in place now and have a good plan. Congratulations!

[AFwife727, BSN, RN]

When should I tell my clinical leaders? I am debating telling them now rather than when school starts in August because during our last semester (Spring 2012), we'll be in preceptorship. Being 8-9 months pregnant during preceptorship might not work.... I wanted to ask if there was any way I could get some of my preceptorship over with this Fall semester so I won't have to go through 12 hour shifts when i'm 8 months pregnant. Thanks for any advice.

[wisteriarox]

AFwife,

I was in the military and I know how tough it can be with scheduling for kiddos when hubby isn't around. I'm not sure about the Air Force, but the Army did allow the dads to take some paternal leave (about 6 weeks?) after baby was born (i think). He can also save his leave from now until then and have hopefully 30 days of leave when baby comes around!

You can do it. Tell your professors now, or soon, because they have certain restrictions for pregnant women and you do not want to expose your baby to whatever could harm him/her..

If your hubby is not around after baby arrives, or he cannot get time off.. try planning NOW for when that comes around. Make friends with your neighbors and find someone you can trust/rely on for when baby comes around. You'd only be gone for a couple hours, which can seem like eternity away from your baby, however doing this for a couple hours/whatever during the last two months of nursing school is worth it.

Also, plenty of RNs go through work up to 9 months preggo and they do just fine. The hospitals just modify what they can/cannot do (ie heavy lifting, etc.)

Best of luck..