Im reposting my reply to a different thread to see if anyone else had any advice! thank you!
I just wanted to post on here to see how everyone else faired when they started to work as a new RN but they were pregnant. I am a new grad (grad. last may 2009) been looking for a job ever since. I got pregnant (sooooo unexpectedly.....had trouble ever getting pregnant with my first 2 and surprise! 2 months after graduating and looking forward to a "break", I got pregnant!! it was such a shock) I applied to nursing homes since they are the only ones hiring...one called me back and offered me two positions: part time permanat day position or a pool position. I decided to be "honest" and tell them I was pregnant (didn't know when I applied, found out two days later). They said they could offer me the pool but NOT the permanant day position. I thought that was kinda weird but didn't say anything. I was put on bedrest for the summer (very minor bleeding,it's all cleared up now but I AM NOT HIGH RISK pregnancy, totally healthy I actually feel great) and they said it was FINE, just call whne I was cleared to work and not worry about a drs note. So, of course when I called back to say I was cleared, they said they couldn't hire me because I signed paperwork in July and now it's September. They had "no documentation" of my bedrest so couldn't tell management why the paperwork has different dates and couldn't hire me(it was the STRANGEST conversation I ever had) I knew it was because I was pregnant, but I was still in shock they would be so blatent and so RUDE on the phone! I was actually releieved after the shock wore off because I actually had a horrible feeling about working there. (too long to list the reasons)
Then suddenly, I got a call from an AWESOME place, better location, better working conditions,better pay...etc. I was thru the roof with exceitment. I applied to their company BEFORE I found out I was pregnant and they said they had my resume for awhile but there was nothing open until now. I interviewed with two people and decieded not to talk about my private life AT ALL. I usually talk about husband, children, where I live. etc. I kept it short and sweet and only worked off my resume. I am so gunshy about telling an employer I am pregnant and I have no legal reason to do so,so I didn't tell them.
I seem to have gotten the job and I am soooo psyched. I am now 20 weeks pregnant and not showing. I took a drug test and waiting for a call from their HR dept to set up orientation. I wont feel right about the job until have an official offer letter and I actually sign paperwork. I am TERRIFIED to tell anyone I am pregnant because of the horror stories I've heard and what happened before. My feeling is: if I am "honest" again and lose the job, and wait until I give birth, which is in March, I will now not only be competing with 2009 graduated like I have been (WE ALL KNOW HOW BAD THE JOBMARKET IS FOR NEW NURSES!) I will be then competing with all the 2010 graduates. I live in the Philly area and the job market is FLOODED with new nurses. It's really a miracle that this place called me to work with no experience (I am even thinking she may not have looked at my resume just the hours I was available to work!! Im not kidding!) So I am doing everything I can to show them I am eager to work and ready to give it my all.
Ive gotten advice to not tell them until 2 months before I give birth, which would be sometime late January. That gives them 2 months notice to fill my hours. It's NOT a full time position, it's 3 days a week, 8 hour shifts. So I would NOT need much maternity leave (maybe 4-6 weeks at the most) AND I am not asking for any health benefits, either. I just hope they will keep my position (you don't qualify for FMLA unless you work there for at least a year) so there is still a risk they can fire me on some other lame reason, but I will have to take that chance.
SO, after hearing this, HOw did everyone else fair at their job after they were hired pregnant?
How did you tell your boss?
Any advice to give me?
ANYTHING is appreciated!! I am not going to feel confident that i have a job until i have a stethescope around my neck and i am getting paid to be there!!
Thanks to everyone who reads this and to anyone who has advice or past experiences!!! thanks!!
I was just wondering how it worked out for you with work and the pregnancy. I am a 2008 grad and in the same boat. I could not find work until May 2009 and it was in a nursing home. I got pregnant and now at 27 weeks I got a call from my 1st choice hospital and was hired on the spot for an ICU position. I am so excited, however stressing because I am carrying small and the recruiter and unit manager did not even notice I am 7 months along. I know with the competition out there if I said something they would find some other reason to go with another candidate so I said nothing. I plan to tell HR about the pregnancy after I sign my official hire paperwork.
I am due to start orientation 2/4/10 and by then I will be 31 weeks. I know they can't discriminate but by then I will of had to quit my nursing home job and be COBRAing benefits. We can't afford to do that for long. I am afraid this hosiptal will tell me they have to wait to hire me and then I will be unemployed until some other RN position opens up, or that they will let me go because I am due 4/4/10 and will have only worked there 8 weeks or so before I ask for time off. Orientation/classroom training is 6 weeks so by my due date I will still be in training but out working with a preceptor RN. I don't even want to think about what will happen if the baby comes early while I am in class.
Can they legally fire me for taking off so soon? It is a government and union position so do you think they will then grant me a few weeks non-paid time off in fear of a discrimination suit? I am freaking out about this because I want this job so badly but also want time to recover from delivery and bond with my son (1st baby).
Guest393655
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I was just wondering how it worked out for you with work and the pregnancy. I am a 2008 grad and in the same boat. I could not find work until May 2009 and it was in a nursing home. I got pregnant and now at 27 weeks I got a call from my 1st choice hospital and was hired on the spot for an ICU position. I am so excited, however stressing because I am carrying small and the recruiter and unit manager did not even notice I am 7 months along. I know with the competition out there if I said something they would find some other reason to go with another candidate so I said nothing. I plan to tell HR about the pregnancy after I sign my official hire paperwork.
I am due to start orientation 2/4/10 and by then I will be 31 weeks. I know they can't discriminate but by then I will of had to quit my nursing home job and be COBRAing benefits. We can't afford to do that for long. I am afraid this hosiptal will tell me they have to wait to hire me and then I will be unemployed until some other RN position opens up, or that they will let me go because I am due 4/4/10 and will have only worked there 8 weeks or so before I ask for time off. Orientation/classroom training is 6 weeks so by my due date I will still be in training but out working with a preceptor RN. I don't even want to think about what will happen if the baby comes early while I am in class.
Can they legally fire me for taking off so soon? It is a government and union position so do you think they will then grant me a few weeks non-paid time off in fear of a discrimination suit? I am freaking out about this because I want this job so badly but also want time to recover from delivery and bond with my son (1st baby).