small dilemma

Hello everyone. I am a nursing student and I graduate in Dec and I already have a nursing job on the unit I currently work on. I am really excited to have this opportunity but there is just one thing, I just found out I'm pregnant. I am happy about being pregnant as well but I do not know whether I should tell the nurse manager this or wait a little while. Has anyone else been a new nurse pregnant at their first job and how did it work out? What do you all think I should do about telling my manager? What about the patient load and taking breaks?
Take the job ! I am sure they will work with you. Yes I would tell her right after I start cause you already work there anyway. Glad Luck, Congrats !!!!!!!!

As far as patient load and taking breaks you will be entitled to exactly the same as everyone who is not pregnant. Either you can do the job or you can't. Many people work while pregnant so that won't be a problem, I wouldn't say anything until you actually start, maybe wait another month or so after that. Best of luck and congratulations!

Unless there are medical reasons why you should not work, I wouldn't say anything, or expect different treatment. Many women work in various fields until they are 7 or 8 months pregnant. I've worked with a few aides and nurses who worked right through their pregnancies. It isn't a big deal.

Everyone keeps asking questions about pregnancy and telling the managers and working. The thing you should know is that you cant be discriminated against because you are pregnant. It is noones business that you are pregnant. It is even against the law for anyone to even ask if you are pregnant in an interview or on a job. So take the job, and when the time comes I am sure they will see that you are pregnant.Whats the issue with wanting to tell the Nurse Manager, HR, or whoever else all your business i.e. i am pregnant, i have traffic tickets, i am getting married, etc...

Thanks everyone! I didn't expect different treatment , I was just looking for advice on any experiences on how a pregnant nurse handled their patient load and work shifts and how difficult it was for them to adjust. I fully expect to be treated the same as everyone else.

I was pregnant when I took a new job as an RN. I didn't tell the manager at the interview because I didn't know yet that I was pregnant, but found out about a week later. I was afraid of losing the job so I never said anything. Obviously, everyone knew eventually. My orientation was just changed around a little bit and I worked extra hard to prove that I could handle it. I always felt a little bad for not saying anything, but it worked out fine. There were other pregnant women that I worked with that whined and took a break every 5 minutes. That doesn't go over well. So just keep up the same pace you're used to and it will be fine.

Quote from BABYJADE06Hello everyone. I am a nursing student and I graduate in Dec and I already have a nursing job on the unit I currently work on. I am really excited to have this opportunity but there is just one thing, I just found out I'm pregnant. I am happy about being pregnant as well but I do not know whether I should tell the nurse manager this or wait a little while. Has anyone else been a new nurse pregnant at their first job and how did it work out? What do you all think I should do about telling my manager? What about the patient load and taking breaks?

Quote from BABYJADE06Thanks everyone! I didn't expect different treatment , I was just looking for advice on any experiences on how a pregnant nurse handled their patient load and work shifts and how difficult it was for them to adjust. I fully expect to be treated the same as everyone else.

You will be fine. keep in mind that pregnancy is not a disability!!

You should probably tell them because certain patients with chemo etc you shouldn't care for

I hope you will get ANY breaks... I never do Good luck. Please watch out for the nasty exposures than can happen in a hospital.. portable x-rays in the next room, etc.

It's a matter of courtesy to tell your manager. No, they can't and won't try and fire you. But staffing can be tricky and most people want to take off for a while after the birth and some need to take off a bit before the birth. You have time, but I wouldn't wait long. Also, where I work we have a lot of nasty bugs and patients on precautions. We look after those who are pregnant and try not to schedule them certain patients. The work load is the same, at least for most of the pregnancy. We also have a lot of heavy patients who are total care and we definitely jump in to lighten the load for those towards the end of their pregnancies.