Unexpected pregnancy in nursing school?!

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My fiancé and I just found out last night that I am unexpectedly pregnant. I estimate that I'm about 5 weeks, which would put my due date a little over a month after my expected graduation. I'm terrified! It was not planned, but we aren't okay with termination or adoption. We want our baby. Now I am so scared that this will be a problem at school. Will they allow me in clinicals when I'm 7-8 months pregnant? I feel like it would be wrong to not allow me to complete school for being pregnant but Id imagine there will be things in clinical that my doctor would not want me doing in the third trimester. Has anyone gone through this? Any advice? I'm scared to talk to the school about it. Thanks!

Thanks so much! Wow that must have been quite a challenge for you to have a newborn in your first semester! That's impressive!

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Thank you! :)

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Thanks for the reply! :)

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That is a very good point. I already do have pretty bad nausea so I do have to think about that as well. I do have the option of postponing my final semester until next year. I really want to graduate on time but I would definitely rather postpone than be dismissed. What do you think you would do? Thanks so much.

Everyone is different. Is this your first child?

There is always the risk for complications, so it's difficult to say what the best course would be. Our program required a monthly check-up and note from the doctor, assessing the mother's and fetus' health. As long as you and the baby remain healthy, I don't see why you shouldn't graduate with your class.

But that's my personal opinion.

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Specializes in LTC, HH, and Case Mangement.

First off congrats on your pregnancy. I can totally relate. I have been married since 2005. My husband and I wanted to start a family around 2008 or 2009. We tried forever it seemed to get pregnant. I started my RN program in July 2011, which was 6 terms to complete since I already am an LPN. I found out on Halloween of that year I was 5 weeks preggo. I was shocked and it was a complete surprise. I was to complete my program in Dec 2012, 6 months after my baby was to be born. I just decided to stick it out and finish, especially since I was a few months into the program. I failed a class in my first term and that pushed me back to completing in March 2013 (our terms are 12 weeks long) no biggie. I was doing well until right up until I was due to give birth. My due date was June 26th and our spring term ended June 15th 2012. Everyone at school knew I was pregnant so that wasn't an issue. I failed my A+P 3 class. Since it was my 2nd failure I was booted from the program. I tried to appeal it because I had a rough pregnancy. I was denied reentry and was so upset. I even tried another nursing school, but could not pass the entrance exam. I figured I was not meant to be an RN. I just decided to work as an LPN. Fast forward to the end of 2013. I met this lady who was a nurse at the same place as me and was in the program. She told me to try to reapply as they had changed directors and changed the rules. I spoke with him and he had me come in to talk about it. I was able to get back in and was even able to start where I left off! I had 3 friends who had been dismissed around the same time as me that were able to come back with me. I restarted in April 2014 and passed my A+P class with a B! I kicked butt for the next year and completed my ADN program in June 2015! I recently took boards. I didn't pass, but am waiting to retake them. I will never give up my dream to be an RN when I have fought and hopped over many hurdles to get here. My son is now 3.5 almost and I am so glad I was given a second chance to finish school. Good luck and I hope my story inspires you to never give up and know you can do it!

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I became pregnant during nursing school. I did everything in clinicals everyone else did and gave birth during Christmas vacation. In theory, you should be fine to carry on as normal. Obviously, if you have complications, that changes things, but I would go ahead and finish on schedule if at all possible. It's all too easy to postpone finishing once the baby arrives.

It's not the easiest thing to do, but many nursing students have been through this and weathered if just fine. I've never heard of a school discriminating against a pregnant student; they usually also want you to finish on schedule.

Good luck.

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Specializes in ICU.

I was pregnant at the beginning of this month. Unfortunately, I lost the baby at 6 weeks. I was going to wait as long as possible to tell my school. Unfortunately, I miscarried during my OB clinical rotation so I had to tell my instructor. I was in the er on the first floor miscarrying and my clinical group was on the second floor helping the newborns on L&D. I unfortunately am not allowed to make up my clinical.

I'm not saying anything to bring you down. I'm sure you guys are super excited. Just make sure you are prepared for anything and everything. It absolutely broke my heart that I missed out on the experience. I was super tired in the beginning, but I made it to class and my clinical. I didn't get tired until about 7pm. By then, I was out!! I did experience nausea big time. I just ate during the 30 minutes of the day I wasn't nauseous.

I did have troubles concentrating. I was picking out names and wondering if it was a boy or girl. I have a boy now, and would love a little girl. Focusing was hard for me.

I have had several people in my school pregnant. Some made it to the next semester, some didn't. My little one was due June 3rd which would have been 3 weeks after graduation. I was planning on being home with the baby all summer and studying for NCLEX, taking NCLEX in August, and finding a job in September. The timing was perfect for me. Congratulations and enjoy it, but also be prepared for anything and everything.

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In my LPN program we had a girl who was pregnant. She was late first trimester when we started Fundamentals. The instructors let her get drawstring in her clinical scrubs. Unfortunately she failed because she was just too exhausted. So you just have to think about the possibilities and what you can handle. The first time I was pregnant I miscarried at nine weeks. But during those nine weeks I had no morning sickness but bad back pain. When I was pregnant with my now four month old son it was the opposite. No back pain until late second trimester and terrible morning sickness from the start. I had to deliver him early due to pre eclampsia. Not trying to discourage you, just sharing what I know. Good luck

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Specializes in ICU.
In my LPN program we had a girl who was pregnant. She was late first trimester when we started Fundamentals. The instructors let her get drawstring in her clinical scrubs. Unfortunately she failed because she was just too exhausted. So you just have to think about the possibilities and what you can handle. The first time I was pregnant I miscarried at nine weeks. But during those nine weeks I had no morning sickness but bad back pain. When I was pregnant with my now four month old son it was the opposite. No back pain until late second trimester and terrible morning sickness from the start. I had to deliver him early due to pre eclampsia. Not trying to discourage you, just sharing what I know. Good luck

You guys are not allowed to wear drawstring pants? We can wear whatever pants we want, and whatever tops we want as long as we are all the same solid color tops and pants. I need my drawstring waist!! Lol. Some people wear the Koi like me, some wear Cherokee, some wear Grey's Anatomy, and a couple are partial to Wonderwink. I guess since we all have different body types, we all need different fits. Some of the girls love those junior fit tops and I can't do them at all. We all look professional and nobody's shade varies really at all, so it works out.

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You guys are not allowed to wear drawstring pants? We can wear whatever pants we want, and whatever tops we want as long as we are all the same solid color tops and pants. I need my drawstring waist!! Lol. Some people wear the Koi like me, some wear Cherokee, some wear Grey's Anatomy, and a couple are partial to Wonderwink. I guess since we all have different body types, we all need different fits. Some of the girls love those junior fit tops and I can't do them at all. We all look professional and nobody's shade varies really at all, so it works out.

Nope. No drawstring, they made exception for her. This was 2 years ago. I didn't make it past med surg. I wasn't diagnosed with bipolar back then so between the ups and downs with that and my grandfather passing away within three weeks of lung cancer I couldn't keep up. I was passing the class but failed the final. You fail and your out. I can't remember what brand they was but we had to order uniforms from a certain company. White for clinicals and Royal blue for community events. I feel you when you say you need drawstring. Ladies monthly friend isn't so nice lol

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