A lesson in courage.

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Yesterday marked my first big job interview for a full-time RN position at the hospital I've been hoping to work at.

Leading up to the interview, I prepared my résumé, rehearsed possible interview questions, pulled out my business clothes, and tried to breathe. But one lingering question weighed heavily on me... "Do I tell them I'm pregnant?"

I discussed it with several professors, and I got mixed answers. On the one hand, they said, the employer cannot discriminate because of pregnancy and shouldn't need to know at the first interview because they may be tempted to write me off right away. And because the job market for nurses in Nashville is not ideal (to say the least), I should give it my best shot.

On the other hand, it felt more upright - and more risky - to go ahead and let them know and have all my cards on the table.

Ultimately, with a lot of prayer and a lot of guidance, I decided to bring it up. To just lay it all out there, so I wouldn't be hiding a thing. The bump is already getting difficult to hide (just ask Shawn who helped stuff me into my interview pants!). And more than that, I cringed at the thought of starting the job in a month and obviously showing, and then having them think I had been hiding it from them. So with this decision, what was already a nerve-wracking interview became even scarier.

But you know what? At the end of the interview, when she asked if I had anything else to add, I felt pure peace wash over me as I explained that I wanted to be forthright, and that I was pregnant. I plan to work as long as possible before the baby is born, and after I give birth as well, and she seemed totally unfazed by it. She said a hearty, "Congratulations!" and then offered me the job. On the spot! Full-time days. Full benefits. Starting in less than 3 weeks. I feel like I won the lottery!

I am so thankful for the wise counsel of those who encouraged me to do the brave thing, because in my heart, it just feels like the right thing. And now I can enter this job in just a few weeks with confidence and freedom. Oh, and a whole lot of excitement. :)