28 weeks pregnant and offered a new grad position

[Chris777]

TO all RN Managers:Please help will this situation be possible or unlikely

I started looking for a RN job as a new grad in December 2007 it is now June 2008 and I finally got an offer for a position at a hospital facility, but I'm now 28 weeks pregnant. My concern is the new grad program starts right before my due date. I really need this job (due to finacial reasons) and don't want to wait another 6 months for the next new grad programs and have to reapply again. I'm not sure if the managers who interviewed me realized that I was pregnant. I'm scared i might lose this great opportunity because of strick new grad attendence and having my baby right in the begining of the program. I also plan on taking as little time off and going right back to work ASAP. What are my options in this pickled situation or do i have any?

[Jolie, BSN]

It would be illegal for the hospital to withdraw your offer of employment due to your pregnancy.

But as a practical matter, new grad programs are usually tightly scheduled and the success of the candidate depends upon regular attendance, which will not likely be possible for you.

If the position interests you, by all means accept it. Your manager may suggest pushing your start date back until the next new grad program begins, which would probably be your best bet. The other possible option would be for you to take the job and forgo the new grad program for a standard "unit-based" orientation, which I would not recommend for 2 reasons. New grad programs address a number of points that may not be covered in orientation that is solely unit-based. Secondly, to try and work for a few weeks, take a quick maternity leave, and return to a brand new job with a brand new baby at home sounds like a recipe for failure on all fronts (sleep-deprivation, stress, uncertainty, lack of established routine, inevitible sick days, etc). Unless you are so desperately in need of money that you absolutely MUST work now, I think you will will have a far greater likelihood of success and satisfaction if you get your baby settled at home first.

Best of luck to you!