RN Residency and Pregnant

[garde0118]

Hello everyone!

So I just graduated and got a job offer during the last weeks of my 4th semester. I accepted and going through the process. I signed a 2 year contract and I believe I'll be training for about 22 weeks? The information given to me said Perioperative for that length and I'll be in PACU. Overall, I'm excited to begin (until March) but I just found out I'm pregnant! I haven't gone to the doctor or anything, but I took an at-home test. By my due date I should have finished the training and all but I'm still nervous on what my employer will say. I'm unsure if to tell them immediately or until I confirm it with an ultrasound. Also, I'm "iffy" about saying anything too soon (i might be around 6 weeks) because I had a miscarriage in my last pregnancy at 10 weeks but i dont want to seem dishonest. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

You do not have any actual proof you're pregnant, so please follow up on that.

Legally you are not required to tell your employer about your pregnancy. It would be a good idea to do so after maybe the first trimester? Your call. If you have more complications then you may choose to tell earlier.

It sounds like if you are pregnant you'll get through most of the training prior to delivery. But then what? You may (or may not) have time to get up and running and competent in what you're doing before you go on leave. This is something you'll need to assess. Essentially you signed the contract so if you need extra time on the back end (into the second year) they should be willing to give that to you.

Best of luck!