to tell or not to tell during an interview?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Ok, so I'm looking for a new job, possibly as a traveller possibly not in AZ.. I just found out I'm pregnant, barely 4 weeks. I will be starting a new job mid Sept-Early Oct. Would you tell the nurse manager interviewing you up front you are pregnant or wait until after you have accepted a job? All opinions greatly appreciated!

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You are not legally bound to tell. I do not believe they may ask you except to ask the standard question about whether you have any medical condition that may prevent you from doing the job.

Best of luck.

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Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.

Pregnancy is not an illness....you do not have to say anything. If you feel that this would be a good time for you to start this endeavor, that is your business.

Remember, you will be needing pre-natal care and it is good to establish a relationship w/your OB staff early on. Also, there is, unfortunately, always the risk of complications w/a pregnancy. You will need good insurance and to be close to a hospital you trust and hopefully plan to deliver at. If this is your 1st pregnancy, I urge you to consider a lot of these issues, before starting to travel.

If this is a one time thing and you will be back before you deliver and have access to care, etc, it probably would work out fine, as long as you are willing to put up w/the extra demands pregnancy puts on your body and the stress of being a "traveller".

Good luck!

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

Also remember that the Federal Emergency Family Leave Act (FEMLA) does not kick in until you have been employed there for a year. So, leaving to have your baby, they arent legally required to hold your job for you. I would tell them early on, maybe not at the interview, but soon enough so that they can get used to the idea of you having time off.

Good Luck and Congrats!!

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.

I would not tell them at the interview. I am 16 weeks preg and I just told my NM last week. And I only told him so he could be ready for when I need time off. I am not telling anyone else that I work with, I am still on orientation and I am proving myself...so I do not want this to come into play at all. Honestly at this point it is no ones business but yours, and personally I do not tell until after that first trimester. Good Luck!

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Nope, not that early in the pregnancy

Jessica

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

You don't have to tell; they cannot legally ask.

Employees are eligible if they have worked for their employer for at least one year, and for 1,250 hours over the previous 12 months, and if there are at least 50 employees within 75 miles. -

U.S. Department of Labor

The above probably applies to your agency, not your assignment. Be careful- are there 50 employees within 75 miles?

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