Pregnant starting 2nd semester, anyone BTDT?

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Despite our efforts to the contrary, my husband & I are expecting little one #2! We are super excited, but I am a little nervous about school. I'm in an ADN program, starting 2nd semester in September. I am due early April 2012 & I have a 5 year old now. Any advice or helpful experiences? I'm thinking that I should be done with clinicals by the time baby is due, so I'll only have my lecture stuff to worry about (which I know is still going to be challenging). How much did your school work with you? When should I talk to faculty about it? Thanks!

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Specializes in Oncology.

You need to let them know fairly soon because there are certain patients you will not be able to take based on their diagnosis or treatments. Better to be honest about it in my opinion. They are not allowed to discriminate against you for being pregnant, provided that you can perform all the clinical duties of the program within reason. Lots of women go through nursing school or keep their job while pregnant. My mom was one of them.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

How do you figure you will be "done with clinicals"? Clinicals go through the entire program. :confused:

Or should.

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You need to let them know fairly soon because there are certain patients you will not be able to take based on their diagnosis or treatments. Better to be honest about it in my opinion. They are not allowed to discriminate against you for being pregnant, provided that you can perform all the clinical duties of the program within reason. Lots of women go through nursing school or keep their job while pregnant. My mom was one of them.

I didn't think about restrictions due to patients...thanks for bringing that up!

How do you figure you will be "done with clinicals"? Clinicals go through the entire program. :confused:

Or should.

I meant about done with 3rd semester clinicals...I'll be off all summer then have clinicals again for 4th semester.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

"About done" though isnt' the same as "done". What is your school's absence policy? What will you do if you deliver early? States have a minimum required for clinical hours in order to sit for the NCLEX. You will want to know the answers to these questions and have your plan in place. It may be in your best interest to consider simply delaying third semester until the fall if there is a chance you will have to repeat it anyway.

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True, it's not the same, but from speaking to past students of my program we tend to finish clinicals 3-4 weeks before semester ends. As far as delivering early, well that's a what if. You can't plan that just like you can't plan a car accident or any of the other things that could cause anyone to miss a semester. We are allowed to miss 12 clinical hours per semester. All I can do is plan & hope for the best. I've just never been in this situation so was hoping for some personal experience :-)

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