[AmericanChai]

I am a pre-nursing student, former doula student with some births under my belt. I would love to work postpartum when I get my degree. I would like to help the women heal and assist them in establishing nursing if that's what they wish to do. There is just one thing bothering me-- I am really against circumcisions of healthy baby boys. I don't want to start a debate about circumcisions here. My question is, do all postpartum nurses have to assist in curcumcisions, or will the workplace respect the wishes of the nurse and her personal or religious beliefs and not ask her to assist in those? I know how to keep my mouth shut and keep my beliefs to myself in front of the patients, of course. I would act professionally. I would just rather not participate in the procedure itself because it goes against my personal beliefs.

Any advice or thoughts? Or do I just have to help with the circs and that's just goes along with the job of postpartum nursing?

[Spidey's mom]

I work in a small rural hospital so this might not help you. My problem is there is one physician who refused to use pain medication prior to circing and so I just don't help him. I haven't made an announcement, I just find other things to do when he is there. Usually the CNA can stand by in case. Really, they don't need alot of help.

I think if you go for an interview, just tell the truth. I'm sure there are places that will accomodate you. If not, you might not want to work there in the first place.

Good luck.

steph

[BSNtobe2009]

Originally Posted by stevielynn

I work in a small rural hospital so this might not help you. My problem is there is one physician who refused to use pain medication prior to circing and so I just don't help him. I haven't made an announcement, I just find other things to do when he is there. Usually the CNA can stand by in case. Really, they don't need alot of help.

I think if you go for an interview, just tell the truth. I'm sure there are places that will accomodate you. If not, you might not want to work there in the first place.

Good luck.

steph

Refused to use pain meds before a circ? And the hospital allows him to do that?

There should be a policy on that.

[indigo girl]

Shocked about no pain meds? When I worked in post partum in the 1980's, they never used it. It was barberic, but that's how it was done, no meds.
Poor babies.

[BSNtobe2009]

Originally Posted by indigo girl

Shocked about no pain meds? When I worked in post partum in the 1980's, they never used it. It was barberic, but that's how it was done, no meds.
Poor babies.

I understand that was a once-upon-a-time practice, but if meds are available, then why isn't he using them?

[traumaRUs]

Well I remember back in the good old days, we didn't have anything for labor and delivery either. Circs neither.

However, this is 2006 and pain relief is mandatory for all patients!

[BSNtobe2009]

AMEN! That's what I say! I think it is unethical for a Doctor to not use pain relief during a circ, if it is safe and medically appropriate. I'm suprised the hospital let's him get away with that.

[Daytonite]

I don't and have never worked in OB. However, my CPT coding instructor was telling us the other day that circumcisions are often being done in the doctor's offices these days because many private insurance companies aren't paying the physicians their fees for the procedure as part of the hospitalization. This may just be a thing with the California insurance companies. When I did my OB rotation as a nursing student years ago I distinctly recall observing a couple of circumcisions before babies were discharged.

So, is this true that the number of circumcisions performed prior to hospital discharge has declined? If so, then, OP you probably don't have much to worry about.

[mandana]

I'm not a pp nurse, but in my facility, nurses do not have to participate in procedures that they consider unethical. For example, if there were a tubal ligation, and you were ethically opposed to that procedure, you would not be forced to participate in it. I don't think many facilities would ask you to do something you were not comfortable with, but I suppose that depends wholly on the facility.

You may also want to consider working in a "birthing center" as a nurse. We have several in my area, and those facilities tend to attract patients that are looking for the most natural experience possible and circs are not done.

Best of luck to you,
Amanda

[SmilingBluEyes]

we rarely, if at all, do circs on my unit. and when they do, the babies are given sweet-ease and local. I hate the whole procedure, and if I had another son, would probably not do it. I did not know better w/my first boy, just thought he should look like dad and I had some rather amplified and magnified concerns about hygiene. I know now, I would teach that to an intact child. I was not a nurse back when I circ'd my boy. I just don't like the whole procedure at all.