I am currently 7 1/2 months pregnant (with my 4th baby). I work on a med/surg unit that does not utilize cna's. I work 3 12's in a row. I sit down for maybe 30 minutes the entire shift - once to eat, once to chart. I continue to do heavy lifting (95% of the time - there is no choice), pulling, bending, etc. I was told that light duty is given only to employees who have a medical issue or on the job injury and pregnancy does not qualify. The only thing I could do is take early leave.Was wondering what the community standard was for pregnant nurses still working the floor? Thanks!
Stacy
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March 14th, 2008 at 8:35 am
That is crazy that they will not respect you. I just had a baby a couple of months ago and was very respected as to no lifting and so forth. But that is really hard when you don’t have a CNA because then you are kind of stuck with the lifting. Are they at least nice in the assignments that they give you relating to how complete the patient is? I think that I would take an early leave…But that is your decision.. I’m sorry you are going through this…Good luck with the new baby!
March 14th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
After working on my Tele floor for the past 2 years with a count of 19 babies born in 2007 this has come up multiple times. We have had many many nurses who have done both. Most still do move patients as long as we use our “lift equipment, maxi slides and such” for a few months. You are 7 1/2 months. We all try and help each other out by lifting for our pregnant patients. We have 1 tech for an 18 bed unit and 3 techs for a 30 bed unit. As for the light duty. We have had many nurses go on light duty who do admission databases, waters, chart reviews, etc. There is alot to do to keep the hospital going. It is a decision that you and your doctor need to discuss. On my floor our manager just asks for a written order from your doctor for you to be on light duty and that was it. Last night at work was the first night for my co-worker on all light duty (as in NO PATIENTS) and she is scheduled for C-section in 5 weeks.
I know this was a lot but I hoped it helped.
March 19th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I am out of touch with the community standards for pregnant nurses, however, if you can swing it take early leave. Maybe you can use that as leverage…….go to your head nurse (or supervisor) and say I am thinking about taking an early leave because of the heavy lifting I am doing and ask the head nurse what are your thoughts on this issue. In addition do you have a union, if you do check out what they say. Best of Luck.
March 20th, 2008 at 12:56 am
our hospital system is union and understood that it is based on doctor’s order as well–this includes pregnancy. it is alloted at 6wks a year but the person keeps all hours either on the unit or at something like a flu clinic. i certainly wouldnt expect someone 7.5 mo pregnant to be lifting patients, all our rooms are outfitted with inroom lifts in adition to having mobile lifts and a ‘lift team’ which assists with lifts throughout the hospital especially with full care patients being turned q2. this might be something you can try to get organized in your hospital- sounds like it would help.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
If you are really miserable or feel you or your child’s safety are in danger, then it seems to me the way to get a medical reason for lighter duty is to discuss your concerns with your doctor (or nurse practitioner or midwife…even better….ha!), and he/she can write you a note. Your nurse manager and/or human resources department should know of the correct procedure, as surely you aren’t the first pregnant nurse at the hospital, and won’t be the last. I was fairly miserable during my pregnancies, and can’t see being on my feet all day long taking care of patients, so kuddos to you and good luck.