Along the lines of the "But I have little kids . . . . " thread:
One of my co-workers announced her pregnancy this week, stating that she was no longer willing to work weekends or holidays because she's going to be a parent. She also has to have Christmas off because this is going to be her last child-free Christmas. Oh and by the way, she can't take care of anyone with VRE, MRSA, or any other type of isolation. "Yukky wounds" make her nauseous, so she can't take those patients -- in fact, wouldn't it be best to just have her do charge all the time?
We're a large unit and have 1 - 6 nurses pregnant at any given time. Plus there are those who can't travel to interventional radiology, take infected patients, etc. because they're TRYING to get pregnant.
The last nurse to have her baby had to sit in the chair her entire shift "because I'm pregnant," and had orientees to do everything for her. Not the role of I preceptor, I'm thinking!
What's the strangest/most irritating thing you've had a coworker demand because she's pregnant?
Makes me feel glad that I've already had my kids BEFORE becoming a nurse..... Anyway, the last time I was pregnant and worked till the very end of my pregnancy I fought EVERY day with my BOSSES about their smoking habbit (they smoked in the office). I did not took care of my cat's litter. I avoided carrying heavy weights (like a 50 lbs 6 year old). And guess what, I believe that you can be a great nurse and at the same time LOVE your unborn child and protect them in any way possible.
That would make me so mad if someone who happened to be pregnant refused to do anything. I was working on a busy neuro floor when I was pregnant last year, and the only time I refused to do something was when I was assigned a few heavy spinal injuries. I wouldn't have minded going into isolation rooms (if you are protecting yourself correctly, then there shouldn't be a risk, should there be?) though I was never assigned them b/c I was pregnant. And I had some RNs tell me I should pull up patients or do the heavier work, which I kind of resented. I don't think I put my child in jeopardy doing these things. Near the end I did go down from 40 hours a week to about 32.
I actually did have my water break at the beginning of a PM shift, 11 days before my due date. I attribute being early to all my hard work!
Specializes in Med-surg; OB/Well baby; pulmonology; RTS.
When I was pregnant, I pulled my load-I helped pull patients up in the bed, pushed them in wheelchairs...I used proper body mechanics. I did all of this in my high risk pregnancy. My co-workers had no problem helping me when I asked for assistance.
I did catch a lot of crap for not going into ANY isolation rooms when I returned to work (after being off for 12 weeks...on FMLA, I might add, for complications)...but I had orders from my ob/gyn to not go in these rooms due to some issues in my past surgical hx. I did take care of isolation patients during my first 6 weeks of pregnancy...and know what? My child died from birth defects...
Sorry to rant...but I did what I could in my pregnancy not to inconvenience anyone else.. I know not everyone does But I also did what I had to do to protect myself and my unborn child...and will do so again...
If you follow precautions there is no way that an unborn child could have been exposed to the germs. I have worked on an isolation unit where they kept contagious diseases AND immune deficient children- with staff who are meticulous about precautions we had no issues from infection control about cross contamination for the 6 years I was there.
But I also did what I had to do to protect myself and my unborn child...and will do so again...
That's what we hear from the pregnant ones and how do we argue with that.
The "I can't life more than 2 pounds", the "I can't go in that room he has a temp of 99.9", the "I'm nauseous today and can't clean up poop or I'll get sicker. I'm not doing anything to endanger my unborn child and I don't care what you think".. "You never know...."....kind of attitude needs to be replaced with some cold hard facts and research, and policy to be adhered to.
Pregnant nurses should not be able to make up their own policies as they go along. Although individual needs must be met. I almost always respect what they want to do for the protection of their unborn child.
I'm so so sorry you lost your child, and I'll never ever know your pain. No one can. But is there any evidence that isolation patients cause birth defects?
I've worked with many women who have taken iso patients, done lifting within reason and delivered healthy babies.
I understand about certain concessions, particularly with isolation patients. But weekend and holidays, forget it. They pose no risk to a fetus last I heard.
Also, I don't think pregnancy falls under the category of disability, so except for those few things, the hospital is not required to make accomodations.
One of my co-workers announced her pregnancy this week......
One of my coworkers; a CNA, who is around 40 YO, has 2 grown children, got pregnant and began to list her "demands" before the sperm even reached the egg :imbar
Her hands havent left her belly since~she holds on to it, rubs it, pats it, and CONSTANTLY talks about it !!!!!
The best was our NM took us all aside to tell us that "she" is having a "high-risk" pregnancy so we should all help her as much as we can. (Not like she ever DID work too hard.)
What OB doc (in his right mind) would let a CNA actually WORK with a high risk pregnancy !!?? Or was that a lie that NM fed into?
Had an amnio and was told to stay in bed X2 d where was she the next day C/O cramps and twinges Q2 minutes ? Of course on the job !! Shes out now maybe her high risk turned into a higher risk.
the last place i worked, 2 or so nurses were pregnant as well as myself. it was policy there that pregnant women were not allowed to lift. apart from that we all carried out the same duties as we did before the pregnancies.
In my case however, I am a student nurse, and the other nurses, both pregnant and otherwise, would tell me to sit down and rest alot. I didn't always feel comfortable with this as I didn't want the other staff on the ward to feel i was taking advantage. Also, the way I saw it, if the other pregnant women could carry on with their duties I didn't see why I couldn't.
Whats good for the goose is good for the gander!!!!
well you learn something new everyday. i would have bet money that pregnancy was not a qualifing disability under the ada (americans with disabilities act). it turns out there are special rules that apply.
the pregnancy discrimination act is an amendment to title vii of the civil rights act of 1964. discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions constitutes unlawful sex discrimination under title vii. women affected by pregnancy or related conditions must be treated in the same manner as other applicants or employees with similar abilities or limitations.
hiring
an employer cannot refuse to hire a woman because of her pregnancy related condition as long as she is able to perform the major functions of her job. an employer cannot refuse to hire her because of its prejudices against pregnant workers or the prejudices of co-workers, clients or customers.
pregnancy and maternity leave
an employer may not single out pregnancy related conditions for special procedures to determine an employee's ability to work. however, an employer may use any procedure used to screen other employees' ability to work. for example, if an employer requires its employees to submit a doctor's statement concerning their inability to work before granting leave or paying sick benefits, the employer may require employees affected by pregnancy related conditions to submit such statements.
if an employee is temporarily unable to perform her job due to pregnancy, the employer must treat her the same as any other temporarily disabled employee; for example, by providing modified tasks, alternative assignments, disability leave or leave without pay.
pregnant employees must be permitted to work as long as they are able to perform their jobs. if an employee has been absent from work as a result of a pregnancy related condition and recovers, her employer may not require her to remain on leave until the baby's birth. an employer may not have a rule which prohibits an employee from returning to work for a predetermined length of time after childbirth.
employers must hold open a job for a pregnancy related absence the same length of time jobs are held open for employees on sick or disability leave.
health insurance
any health insurance provided by an employer must cover expenses for pregnancy related conditions on the same basis as costs for other medical conditions. health insurance for expenses arising from abortion is not required, except where the life of the mother is endangered.
pregnancy related expenses should be reimbursed exactly as those incurred for other medical conditions, whether payment is on a fixed basis or a percentage of reasonable and customary charge basis.
the amounts payable by the insurance provider can be limited only to the same extent as costs for other conditions. no additional, increased or larger deductible can be imposed.
if a health insurance plan excludes benefit payments for pre-existing conditions when the insured's coverage becomes effective, benefits can be denied for medical costs arising from an existing pregnancy.
employers must provide the same level of health benefits for spouses of male employees as they do for spouses of female employees.
fringe benefits
pregnancy related benefits cannot be limited to married employees. in an all-female workforce or job classification, benefits must be provided for pregnancy related conditions if benefits are provided for other medical conditions.
if an employer provides any benefits to workers on leave, the employer must provide the same benefits for those on leave for pregnancy related conditions.
employees with pregnancy related disabilities must be treated the same as other temporarily disabled employees for accrual and crediting of seniority, vacation calculation, pay increases and temporary disability benefits.
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
I worked through two pregnancies and did everything I needed to do. Most co-workers are happy to assist with lifting, etc. especially if they don't think you're looking for special treatment. I also made it a point not to complain about my aches and pains, etc, since pregnancy was mine and my husband's decision and my co- workers shouldn't have to suffer for that!! I did get angry once during my first pregnancy. I was several months along and lifting a paralyzed child into his wheel chair. I asked the respiratory therapist in the room to assist me; "Oh, I can't, I'm pregnant!" I wanted to ask if she thought I wore that smock top just for the fun of it??
The very worst pregnancy-related thing I encountered was a nurse who was trying to get pregnant. Every time she and her husband had sex her co-workers got to hear about it!!! I was more thrilled than she was when she finally got pregnant!
jemb
693 Posts
Bet it didn't make them pregnant, though!