Being a travel nurse is a demanding job, but adding in pregnancy makes it even more complex. While you should exercise caution when you are a pregnant travel nurse, your pregnancy should not prevent you from having a fantastic experience. There are various ways to protect your growing baby bump from harm in a medical setting. Look at these tips to keep you safe while you and your baby travel for work.
Travel Nursing While Pregnant: Ways To Protect Your Baby
Take Time To Care for Yourself
It is common for nurses to skip the restroom during their 12-hour shifts, but this is not advised during pregnancy. Instead, make sure you regularly go to the bathroom six to eight times a day.
Keep an insulated cup of water at your nurse station so you can take a few sips as you pass by to stay hydrated. Besides staying hydrated, drinking enough healthy fluids is how your body makes amniotic fluid. This is the fluid surrounding your baby to keep them safe.
Prepare healthy snacks, such as protein bars or fruit, to snack on during your shift. Getting enough proper nutrition is essential for helping your baby grow and develop. Doctors recommend that pregnant women maintain a healthy diet and get an additional 300 calories a day. Do not forget your prenatal vitamins since they have all the necessities required for pregnancy.
Make sure you get adequate rest when you are off and relax on the job whenever possible. When you do not get the required amount of sleep during pregnancy, you heighten your risk of complications. Look into these helpful pregnancy sleep tips when you are unsure where to start.
Maintain Your Regular Checkups
Working as a travel nurse takes away from your regular prenatal checkups. Talk to your new facility before starting any assignment to see if they recommend someone for you in the case of an emergency or if you have general questions regarding your pregnancy. Even though communicating with your doctor or midwife back home is an option, you must have someone physically present to monitor your and your baby’s health.
Avoid Hazardous Situations
Staying away from potential hazards nursing brings is a step in the right direction. Do not handle, clean, or expose yourself to any harsh medications such as those used during chemotherapy. Also, use caution when administering medicines through an IV or when giving a shot, avoiding any unintentional needle pricks.
Being a nurse means risking getting illnesses from patients. You already know the golden rule of washing your hands, but pay extra potential to this step. However, washing your hands will not protect you from airborne sickness. So, if it is necessary for you to treat patients with, for example, the Flu, add an extra layer of protection by wearing a mask.
Tell the Facility You Are Pregnant
Once the recruiter knows you are pregnant, it is necessary they inform those they plan to send your applications. It is a little more complicated getting hired when you are expecting, but as long as you can perform the job’s demands, most hospitals will employ you for short-term assignments.
Plan for Your Maternity Leave
Your recruiter and the facility should know your assignment’s end date. This way, you can arrange for your maternity leave, ensuring you get home in time for your child’s birth. But, if you still feel well enough to work, you can prolong your assignment.
Pay attention to your body and what it tells you during your pregnancy. If you feel like something is off, or you need to be back sooner than expected, talk with your facility so you can get back home in time to deal with all things, baby.
Being a travel nurse comes with a unique set of circumstances. When you start a new assignment, do the job to the best of your abilities, but keep your baby’s health as the top priority. Therefore, informing your facility of your pregnancy ensures you can do both.
We hope you found these tips for travel nursing while pregnant helpful. Have you ever taken a travel nurse assignment while pregnant? Do you have any tips for travel nursing while pregnant to share with your fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.
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