Nursing while pregnant, which patients to avoid??

[blessedatlast]

I am currently on my last placement in a general medical ward, but was going to be changed to surgical, as my last placement was in a medical ward. Do I have to tell my facilitator I'm pregnant? What patients should i steer clear of? Cytotoxic patients? Patients with MRSA? I am so terrified of losing this baby, and there is NO WAY I would take any risks, but I would love to finish my last semester and graduate along with my classmates in June Also in aged care sometimes we have residents in isolation, cytotoxic etc.. I don't want to tell work i'm pregnant because I'm only casual so they could gradually cut my hours if they wanted. I have heard there was a pregnant girl there before and they didn't really want her there but because she was permanent part time they couldn't do anything, but with me they could and I couldn't prove I was sacked due to pregnancy.. I need to work for at least 14wks if I can.

[feeb]

No cytoxic patients, no patients who have had a radiation type scan with contrast (ones where need to double flush wee), no one with gastro/infectious things etc. I would be telling them you are preg as it does make it easier for you not to worry.

[blessedatlast]

Thanks for that Feeb.. Yeah I just didn't want to because I have an interview for a grad program on Thursday. If this bubba sticks I wont be able to take the job if I am offered but I wanted to see how I went still.. If they know I'm pregnant well, I doubt they would consider me for the job..

[Little Chicken]

Can i suggest having your cmv status checked and avoidimg those that are known to be positive

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[Sammiejane]

Other than what's mentioned above, I didn't look after VRE patients (but did MRSA) although I could gave. And no Respiratory isolation patients (chicken pox, measles, TB etc).

Also on the job thing, we have had a couple of grads that have started while pregnant or have fallen pg eat in tge year, they worked up to 6 weeks before but just didn't get mat leave. It means in most cases you can start back as a gr2 when you start as you don't actually need full time for a year to fulfill a grade 1 requirement.

Good luck and hope it helps




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[blessedatlast]

Thanks for the replies.. It does help. It was pretty much as I suspected. i think I will tell my facilitator, although maybe not this week, because of the public hol here in QLD, I have Monday off, so only have to go Tuesday.

SammieJane - If I got the job, it doesn't start til August and although I don't know just yet what this pregnancy will be like, with my history of pre term labour, I probably wont be working by then, or if I am it wont be for long IYKWIM. Even if I am well, I will be having many hospital appointments in Bris, antenatal and cadiologist I doubt it would be worth it.. I will speak to my doctors and see how I feel closer to the time..

[Sammiejane]

You might be able to defer the position too, not sure if QLD is the same, but if you got accepted and then couldn't fulfill the position, they may allow you to do it the following year - if that's what you want to do.

I hope your pg is smooth and trouble free xx



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[blessedatlast]

Yeah, I have heard they can, but I would need it deferred for over a year.. Not sure if they would hold it that long.. I want at least a year off with bubs.

[~TT40~]

when i was an undergrad i was under the impression you had to tell them, well atleast where i was, you had to get certificates to say you were right to work and what you could and couldnt do (seems a bit over the top to me now) but i only found that out from a nother girl, and she was in her 2nd tri by the time placements were on. and i think it was more the lifting etc...anyway...i would tell them, just make it easier and you can then have their support with what you can and cant do rather than you just saying 'i cant look after that pt' but not tell them why cause that would be bad...