Pregnant and starting as a psych nurse.

[mepy]

I am starting as a psych nurse tomorrow in a long term care/rehab facility. This facility only accepts axis I primary dx. Here is my first question... I am 21 weeks pregnant but not really showing yet, what precautions should I take as a pregnant woman in this situation? Should I be worried? This is not an institution that deals with acute conditions, which makes me feel a bit more at ease.

My second question is more of an HR issue. Am I required in any way notify my employer about my pregnancy now that I have accepted this job? I do not think I am but I can say I feel awful about not releasing this info during the interview. I know I will only be taking a short leave and will be returning to work. Also, this has been an uneventful and healthy pregnancy so far with no restrictions and I expect to work right up to my 9th month. I hope this does not put a damper on my relationship with my superiors.

Thank you so much for any input, it is much appreciated!

[LaRN]

Not sure if your facility is a true psych setting, but in most of them, injuries to unborn children are avoided like the plague. If my supervisor found out a nurse was working while pregnant, her hair would catch on fire.

[elkpark]

A recent thread on this same question:

Psych nursing while pregnant - Nursing for Nurses

I've worked in psych for 25+ years, and have worked with pregnant nurses and techs in all kinds of settings frequently over the years. Haven't ever seen it be a big deal or problem.

[mepy]

Well I have been working in this facility for 3 months now, so far so good. My boss had no concerns with my pregnancy (other than if I would be back after the baby, which I will be). I very rarely have to deal with acute situations which is what I guess I was worried about in the beginning and the patients are really great.

[nurse lala, BSN, RN]

I became preggers working on the acute psych unit. I transferred out when a gent with Paranoid schiz threatened to hit me in the belly. I transferred out and worked in chem dep until the baby came. I think you need to consider the acuity of the unit to determine the level of risk to you and your unborn baby.

[Noah'sRNMom]

I know in my facility, we try to accomodate pregnant staff members. We wouldn't want you to sit 1:1 with a violent patient or anything like that. So, you definitely need to speak to your superiors so implementations can be made for your safety. As far as the HR goes, you were hired. End of story. They cannot now turn around and fire you. You are under no obligation to tell them that you are pregnant in your interview, so you did nothing wrong. Should you have told them? Probably. But would they have hired you? Probably not. So, it's a catch 22. But, I wouldn't worry about it. As long as you are off of probation before you need to leave for maternity leave you should be fine!

[NPvampire, MSN, RN, APRN]

I worked throughout both my pregnancies in psych, once from 6 mo plus and once the whooole time and it was fine. Generally the staff (when they know you're preg) try to "go in first" in difficult situations to avoid you getting hurt. I did ask, the 2nd time, to work with kids or men patients because sometimes adult women psych patients can perseverate on the pregnant nurse once it's obvious.