7 wks pregnant, offered 36 hr night position

[Nursey Face]

hi everyone! i started about 3 months ago in an outpatient rn job. i came from inpatient medical. i was recently offered to interview at my dream job - labor and delivery. the hitch is that i am 7 weeks pregnant and the position is 36 hour nights! has anyone worked nights while pregnant? what was it like for you? did you regret it? the thing is, i plan to cut down to 24 hour nights after the baby is born so it seems like it is a discomfort that may be worth it if i am eventually able to work 2 days a week.

whatcha think?

[Deb123j]

I found out I was pregnant during orientation. I did 36hr nights throughout my pregnancy. I did fine!

There are some younger nurses who did the same, but complained the last few months of their pregnancies.

It's totally doable! Good luck!

[Faeriewand, ASN, RN]

Good luck at your interview! :)

[*Posh*]

I did... it was easier than the chaotic days for sure. I had a problem with nausea in the mornings, but that's going to happen anyway. Good luck!

[FLmomof5]

I would say that this differs from person to person. Although not a nurse at the time(I was in an engineering job that had rotating shifts), I managed to work until the day I went into labor. Part of what made that easier for me is I am not one of those who got "huge" while PG. In fact, when I went to the hospital, the nurses insisted that I couldn't be full term right up until DD was born at 6 lb 3 oz! (I went into labor on my due date.)

Having been such a "small" PG woman would allow for my body to do more for longer whereas those who have difficulty walking and getting up and down from a sitting position....well, they would have had more of a challenge.

You will never know what you can accomplish until you try! Good luck!

[rshenry]

You are pregnant not disabled. If it is your dream job take it! Besides once you have the position, if you pregancy related complications you have protection under FMLA.

[Jolie, BSN]

Besides once you have the position, if you pregancy related complications you have protection under FMLA.

Not necessarily. In order for an employee to be eligible for FMLA under federal law, she must have worked for her employer for a minimum of 12 months, working approximately 20 or more hours per week.

Unless the facility extends FMLA eligibility to all employees immediately upon employment (which few do), the OP probably will not be entitled to FMLA protection with this pregnancy.

[rshenry]

That is true! My bad! I assumed she worked for the same employer, just new position.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

do it. I was scared about working nights until I actually did it. I ignored everyone else's experience and just kept repeating to myself "this is a job I need. I can do it." I make sure I get sleep and the rest doesn't matter.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

It is really not bad as long as you can get your sleep. I'm 32 weeks along right now; my position is for 24hr weekend nights but I have been routinely picking up extra to make it 32-36 hours/week. It's doable, but it does help if you've stayed active beforehand, that way your body is used to some level of exertion at baseline. I work with at least five other ladies who've carried pregnancies while working nights in the last few years. But do make it a priority to get your sleep, as that can help other symptoms (if you have them) tremendously. And eat healthy stuff, not junk. Good luck! :)

[Nursey Face]

thanks so much ladies! i had read that there were some studies that said working night MAY put you at great risk for pre-term labor, something to do with the flipped circadian and all, so that freaked me out. when i worked in general medical, i rarely did nights but kind of hated them. i appreciate all of your thoughts. keep 'em coming in fact!

[Nursey Face]

oh and i think i'd be covered from FMLA since i've worked here for over 3 years and i work over 20 hours/week.