[DEBBLESRN]

Not trying to spark an abortion debate, I just found this article interesting, because since doctors in medical school in the UK are now refusing to learn about how to perform an abortion due to moral and ethical convictions, they are looking to start training NURSES to do the job if the abortion will be performed in the first trimester. Take a look at this article.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/a...ons/article.do

More young doctors oppose abortions on ethical grounds

Rising numbers of doctors are refusing to carry out abortions
The NHS abortion service is heading for a crisis because increasing numbers of doctors refuse to carry out terminations, it was claimed.

....the situation has prompted abortion groups to call for a change in the law which would allow nurses to carry out early surgical and medical abortions - procedures which are.....

[brefni]

There are really two issues to think about concerning this problem. These doctors are not thinking about the consequences of abortion not being safe and accessible and because it's a simple and "lowly" procedure, why not dump the responsibility on nurses. A similar issue is popping up here in NC with the death penalty. Doctors are refusing to push the syringe and now the state is considering allowing nurses to do it. Are we going to be forced to change our caduceus to a scythe?

[briehy]

I think it goes against all our training. We hopefully went into nursing to save lives, comfort the sick, tend to the poor, and help the helpless. Our job is to speak up for those that can't speak for themselves. How can we as nurses take the very life we are supposed to protect??

[Spidey's mom]

Are nurses a monolith?

None of us might agree with the "young docs"?

steph

[DEBBLESRN]

Originally Posted by briehy

I think it goes against all our training. We hopefully went into nursing to save lives, comfort the sick, tend to the poor, and help the helpless. Our job is to speak up for those that can't speak for themselves. How can we as nurses take the very life we are supposed to protect??

I agree, but I also think it goes against the doctor's training as well, who vow to "first, do no harm"--and what is abortion?? It harms the fetus. So I am not sure what the difference is.

It, in my opinion, is a surgical procedure that should be performed by a licensed physician, and completely falls out of the scope of nursing practice.

[lovejana22]

^^^^^^

[Dayray]

Nothing new

thereaputic abortions are done by nurses all the time. doc leaves orders nures places cytotec or starts pit MD is present for delvery but as well know that is a very small part of the procedure.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I think suction abortion (and other similarly invasive procedures) should be performed, supervised, and attended by trained physicians, not nurses.

The administration of medications by nurses under the order of physicians, nothing new.

[SmilingBluEyes]

PS--- doctors should have the right to refuse training and participation in therapeutic abortion, IMO. As should nurses and pharmacists. As long as this is made clear to patients, and also, as long there is an alternative for such patients to seek, I have no problem with this.

[BBFRN]

The ANA states we as nurses have the right to refuse to participate in procedures that we are morally against, as long as the patient is not placed in danger as a result of that decision. I'm wondering if the AMA has a similar position.