Stuck Between A Rock And A Hard Place

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Hello I am looking for a bit of guidance here:

I just interviewed for my first RN position in NYS, I have gone through the new hire physical and at my appointment, they mentioned I must receive the booster or I will be let go in 2 weeks. I just found out that I am pregnant very early still and I don't feel comfortable getting booster in the 1st trimester. I was going to work on a permit and take the boards next month.

I do not know what to tell HR, 1: that am I am pregnant and I want to hold off a month or two and accept the position, 2: that I don't feel comfortable with working yet and not having the boards complete. I know they cant discriminate against pregnant women but I don't know if this looks bad because I have gone through all the new hire paperwork and am looking to postpone my start date.

Any advice would help.

Thank you!

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On 2/3/2022 at 8:57 AM, ham333 said:

[...]

I do not know what to tell HR, 1: that am I am pregnant and I want to hold off a month or two and accept the position, 2: that I don't feel comfortable with working yet and not having the boards complete. I know they cant discriminate against pregnant women but I don't know if this looks bad because I have gone through all the new hire paperwork and am looking to postpone my start date.

[...]

First, congratulations on both your pregnancy as well as the job offer. 

In my opinion, I don't think either of the options you have listed are goin to be well received.  If you choose to ask for a delayed start date, of the two options you've listed, I think your best choice would be option 1.  However, prior to doing this I would suggest that you discuss this with your OG/GYN.  And, regardless of which option you choose if you do this, have you considered that they might rescind your job offer?

Best wishes.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

It is not discriminatory to expect you to get a shot everyone else has to.

However it is up to you and your OB how to best proceed.

The job may be incompatible if you cannot and this is a condition of employment. You and your baby have to come first and the job may have to wait.

Good luck.

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In answer to the question- Let HR know when you expect to meet their job requirements, and see what you can negotiate.  You have proven your ability to make your case with both your school, and the BON.  Use the same approach to solving this problem, and you may do well.

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Specializes in BSN, RN, CVRN-BC.

Regarding your pregnancy, I wouldn't make a bet on not being discriminated against.  Yes it isn't legal, but the burden of proof would be on you.

If you want the job then accept it.  Try to get an appointment with an OB within 2 weeks and if you can't then apply for the waiver.  Let them know that you have an appointment with an OB and are willing to get the booster when your OB signs off that it is safe.  You want your new employer to know that you are  team player and that the safety of your baby is then only reason for the delay.

Good luck with your new job and your boards!

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It is far more dangerous for you to get Covid while pregnant than getting vaccinated/boosted. It’s our job as healthcare professionals to keep ourselves and our patients safe, and studies support that’s by getting boosted - I got my booster in my first trimester and I’ve been in healthcare for well over 20 years. You become a danger to patients and a liability to your new employer if you get sick, and I don’t blame them. Definitely not discrimination either as it’s their prerogative of who to hire, and you’re not even licensed yet. I’m sure its a scary time, but most employers are requiring this. Good luck on your decision. 

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Specializes in Emergency.

Congratulations on being a mother!

That is a full time job by its self.  As for the the booster, you are not forced to get anything.  Nurses are in high demand right now. You always have choices … but I challenge you with this, what did you eat last night?  Chances are whatever it was, provided the ingredients but do you actually know if those were in there or not?  I mean just because words are written doesn’t mean it’s actually in there. My point is, we ingest so many things in our bodies everyday and no idea exactly what is in them …so why is it a big deal about a shot.  I know in AZ we have to have all of our immunization with Hep B and flu … no one complains about that.  It’s part of health care and we accept it or we leave and go to another place to work.  I understand your dilemma and I say trust your gut.  If you feel it’s not a good choice for you or the baby then don’t get it … easy as that. Find another place to work until you have your baby then revisit the choice of getting it or not. 

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7 minutes ago, Robmoo said:

I wouldn't make a bet on not being discriminated against.  Yes it isn't legal, but the burden of proof would be on you.

If you want the job then accept it.  Try to get an appointment with an OB within 2 weeks and if you can't then apply for the waiver.  Let them know that you have an appointment with an OB and are willing to get the booster when your OB signs off that it is safe.  You want your new employer to know that you are  team player and that the safety of your baby is then only reason for the delay.

Good luck with your new job and your boards!

And it’s absolutely legal for an employer to require a healthcare professional to be vaccinated prior to/immediately after hiring. I worked in the army along with ERs all over the US and I’ve been required to be vaccinated for anthrax, meningitis, Covid, EVERYTHING, including while pregnant. It’s our job as healthcare professionals to not put our patients at risk and it’s our employers burden to ensure that. Look at Mayo Clinic firing hundreds of employees for not getting vaccinated - not illegal. 

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Yes, you should get your vaccine. It is not safe to get covid while you are pregnant. Our unit is still full of covid patients. However if you want to postpone your start date then ask HR. I postponed my start date since I was burned out from NCLEX. I asked to post pone my start date and never gave a reason. 

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Sounds like a good place to work, where they believe in science, have standards and expect the same from you. 
 

You are not between a rock and a hard place at all. You just think you are. People who have read all the appropriate information from legit sources, and confirm with their OB, get the booster, *especially* when pregnant. 

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I hope it makes  you feel better when I tell you both my daughter and daughter in law received vaccines while pregnant and have healthy babies now.

Like it's been said; discuss with your OB/GYN and set up vaccination if possible.

Good luck.

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