surviving the ER pregnant....

[mamaxmaria]

I am an ER tech in a very very busy level 2.... I work the 3-11p shift, the most hectic

I am currently 30 weeks along and starting to feel myself having trouble keeping up with the job.

In the beginning I didn't change anything because I didn't want being pregnant to get in the way of my duties. I still pushed stretchers and lifted pt's, but was still careful... if they were very obese my co workers are always great about getting someone else to lift/push.

But lately our volume has been SO HIGH... the census has easily been staying at least 110+ all shift. The constant running around, bending over, and trying to maneuver around all these hallway pt's is draining me fast.

I wanted to try and stay at work as long as possible but everyday it seems to get harder and harder. it dosent help that I'm seriously all belly already (it's a boy and I'm only 4'11 so the baby has no where to go but out! lol)

Just looking for some advice from others who have worked in a crazy ER while pregant. how long did you last? is there anything you did to make work just a little more bearable? My co workers have been great about not having me push stretchers or pull pt's anymore, which I appreciate but feel bad because it makes me feel a little useless sometimes :-/

I want to continue to be as efficient as possible at my job but this pregnancy is really slowing me down(especially when I have to pee every 10 minutes!! haha).... and I don't want to be that person that uses being pregnant as an excuse to not work.. so any types on how to make this work are greatly appreciated!!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Your post has been moved to the Emergency Nursing forum to elicit more replies. Good luck!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

At 30 weeks, you've paid your dues, so to speak. Resentment from coworkers typically only happens when a nurse immediately decides that pregnancy should alter her job description.

In the EDs where I have worked, nurses in late pregnancy have typically been assigned triage or fast track. Are these options for you? Assuming that you have a good relationship with your supervisors/charge nurses, I see nothing wrong with requesting these assignments for the remainder of your pregnancy, unless doing so is completely out of step with typical practices in your department.

Good luck to you. :)

[mamaxmaria]

Thanks for the reply! Triage wouldnt be good for me as a tech because it consist of placing the pts on stretchers and taking them to their assigned areas....lots of pushing stretchers back forth lol there is how fast track but im afaid to for a " special " assignment just cause im preggers.....:-/

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Ah, I completely missed your indication that you're working as a tech and not a nurse. I really should read more carefully - shame on me!

From a former ER tech -- it is a very physical job, as you know. But your current condition is temporary, and so I still encourage you to advocate for yourself and temporarily ask for consideration for certain selected assignments for the duration of your pregnancy. Unless your department culture is extremely short-sighted and punitive, no one should view this negatively in the long term.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

Can you not take triage vitals or work front desk? How about doing ekgs or taking a few fillin shifts as a clerk? Or sitting the psych pts? I recently survived nine months as an rn with baby in belly in a level one! People were very supportive!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I'm also pregnant and my coworkers have been so supportive. I really feel babied, and it seems like my coworkers actually take...idk, pride, enjoyment, satisfaction? from looking out for me. I never get the sense that they feel put upon at any rate. I'm not as far as you so will still lift unless I'm shooed out by another nurse (or sometimes the patient, have had a couple very sweetly insist that they don't want to hurt me), but my coworkers will switch assignments for shingles, combative potential belly kicking patients, etc. I plan to work until the moment I go in to labor, simply because I want as much time with the baby on maternity leave as possible....but I'm open to the possibility of needing to stop a few weeks early. I guess I have no other advice besides accept the kindness of your coworkers. Do the tasks you are able to do, and when it's your turn to pick up a little more slack for a pregnant coworker, take the opportunity to pay the unit back for their help.