Question for ER moms

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If a nurse working in the ER discovers she is pregnant, how soon should she tell her boss? You all know the various risks of ER nursing and also the desire to keep some things in lives private (at least for a while).

Any suggestions?

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

No one should be exposed to 15 x-rays a night. If you're working a trauma, put the lead on for cripes sake, whether you're pregnant or not.

We do tend to put our experienced preggers nurses in triage toward the end - it gives them a bit of a break from being on their feet all day.

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Specializes in ED.
Please forgive me for not wanting to be exposed to 15 X-rays a night while I am pregnant. Jeez.

I'm not pregnant and I wouldn't want to be exposed to 15 xrays a night either! Something is wrong with that if you are regularly exposed to xray... ???

We have very pregnant women working right now in our ED. I know one of the pregnant charge's were working the trauma rooms the other night (she is about 35 weeks). I am a new ER nurse but I don't feel that I am under any more danger than on another floor. I do feel that I have less risk for some injuries since I do a lot less lifting/moving than on a med/surg floor. I know if I was pregnant I'd have a hard time with all the lifting. Other than that, I don't see them getting any easier assignments really.

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RN in SC~

I would tell your boss if you feel comfortable. Where I work, (we have 4 pregnant nurses right now...I DONT drink the water there! I have enough kiddies at home) our pregnant nurses dont get our rowdy psych pts who are known to be aggressive or the aggressive drunks. They do work the rooms until their about 6-7 months pregnant then they usually go into triage and help the other nurses when they can. I warn them when theres really aggressive pts. We have certain rooms for them, so usually the pregnant nurses dont get those rooms. We also have many pts who require xray at bedside..just make sure u have lead close to you or where its handy. We dont have many walls..we have more curtains to separate the rooms where I work. I worked surgery with both my kids...worked up till I was 9 months..both are healthy as can be. Just be safe. And let your boss know that your pregnant...not quitting.

I wish you the best pregnancy ever and an easy labor!! Congrats!

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