i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

(i appoligize in advance for the lenght of this post!)

so i work long term care. My unit is relitively 'slow' but i work 3, 12 hour shifts which i work 7p-740a.

now i can handle my shift just fine so far but once 740am rolls around im DEAD...my back is on fire my feet are killing me and im just down right exhausted. apparently the regular nurse that relieves me has been taken out on a leave for a month and they have been mandating me (which means i can not go home after my 12 hours i must stay for 16hrs. till relief comes in for those not in health care) at least one of my 3 shifts if not 2... so thats an extra 4 hours on my feet pluse i travel an hour to and from work. so that makes my work day 18 hours.

now im barely showing people assume because im barely showing.. i must "feel great" well i dont it still doesnt take away that im 5 months pregnant and have been having complications all along. i had a threatened abortion at 15.5 weeks and since then they toldme they wont put me on bed rest just to "take it easy" and when i tell my supervisors that i really cant stay they say i dont have a choice..

so my question is.. would you ask the doctor for a note for work that says your perfectly capable of working your 12 hour shift but cannot stay for 16 hours?? i feel like im using this pregnancy as a cop-out. but i really just want to protect myself and this baby and if im feeling that its too much on my body i really think i should listen to it.

i tried talking to DH about it.. but he just doesnt understand that i can just sit down and take a 10-15 min break everytime i am tired. things are time sensitive and its busy in the morning. he automatically says just get the note from the doctor.

i really really need advice.. what do i do?

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

I am not a nurse but have several friends who are. Knowing they dont get breaks or time to just sit and even eat, I would get a dr's note. The most important thing is your health and the health of your baby. You are not taking advantage...you are doing what you feel is best. I give you credit for working your 12 hr shifts. When I was 5.5 months pregnant with DS I couldnt even imagine being on my feet for that long.

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

thanks.. i feel great for the 12 hours that i work.. its just the extra added hours is just like pushing me overboard.

i just dont want the doc. to think.. wow what a whimp shes only 5 months with no belly and shes complaining...kwim.. im sure they'll be understanding but my job def. isnt so i need to do whats best and explain that to the doc.

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

I'm not a nurse either, but I can't imagine being on my feet all that time---I think you need to get that note. And F**K anyone who gives you a hard time about it. They probably never experienced the joy of having a child, otherwise, they wouldn't give you such a hard time!

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

That $ucks that they're so not understanding. I'd def get the letter. I'm fine for the 12.5 hours too (and mine is a very busy unit) but by the end, my body knows its time to go home- there's no way they could get me (even if they wanted to try to make me) to stay an extra 4 hours beyond my shift. Their lack of scheduling ability should not be yours or your child's issue to deal with.

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

Is there a chain of command... for you to escalate it?

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

as a teacher, i am on my feet all day and am so exhausted at the end of the day... and I am not at work for nearly as long as you are!!!!!

I would ABSOLUTELY get a doctor's note that would limit the number of hours you can work a shift. it's not a cop-out.... you are obviously a hard worker and feel bad about this, but you've already had complications and your baby's health is more important than anything.


GOOD LUCK!

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

definitely definitely definitely get that Dr's note. 16hrs is unacceptable! You're going to exhaust yourself and the baby could suffer. Don't feel guilty about it either!!!

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

Posted by Shorty

definitely definitely definitely get that Dr's note. 16hrs is unacceptable! You're going to exhaust yourself and the baby could suffer. Don't feel guilty about it either!!!

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

i'm a nurse too in the NICU and i cannot imagine being at work for 16 hours! omg the 12 hours just about kills me!!! Get a note.

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

Not a nurse, but work in the health field overnights. Either 10-12 hour shifts. I know by the end of 12 hours, I'm done. I was like that before I was PG. It is not only 12 hours, but it is overnights as well. I have been doing them for almost 4 years, and I don't think your body ever fully adjusts. Now that you are PG, 16 hours is way too much even at 5 months PG. Not only could you make a mistake with a PT, since you are so tired, but you are also putting too much stress on your body.
Also, you have a long commute after these 16 hours shifts. This is dangerous, and could cause an accident, since your so tired. I would talk to the doctor and get a note.

I tell people all the time that they don't understand what it feels like to work the night shift until they do it. I have been out of work for a week now, and my body feels 100% better, even at 38 weeks PG. Good Luck!!

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

i would get a dr.s note..seriously i dont understand how employers get away with this nonsense. being a nurse is hard enough, nevermind adding 4+ hours a day and 2hr commute.

dont jeopardize your health!

Re: i could really use some advice... any nurse preggies?(on the long side)

i am a nurse/nurse practitioner and although i'm not working in the hospital anymore i have been at the office at times for almost 12 hrs and my back is killing me at that point along with my feet. i really think you should get a dr.'s note and if they don't like it too bad. its dr.'s orders. besides the health of you and your baby comes first. let someone else come in earlier to cover you! i thought i had heard that nys was passing a law that you could not be mandated to stay past your shift. i heard this awhile ago, look into it just in case it went into effect.