Pro Life Beliefs and Nursing

Everline · May 11, 2018

You never know what or who you will encounter in your nursing career. That being said, don't get a job in a place that provides abortion or in women's health or ob/gyn...and your chances of being involved in "killing a child" will be greatly reduced.

I'll refrain from further comment.

PeakRN · May 11, 2018

If this is really an issue for you I'd avoid oncology, to be honest. I did women's oncology and ran into a few patients we scheduled for abortions, even later term ones.. knowing that you have a very small amount of time for treatment for a fast moving cancer can cause patients to make a variety of decisions and abortion is one of them.
Not to be morbid but I even had one patient that was awaiting chemo treatment the next day who had the bassinet in her room with her child that had aborted late term enough for this to be an option, so she could say a final goodbye before she started treatment. It happens.

This isn't necessary for a lot of patients. We have had moms who we manage through their pregnancy with surgery or chemotherapy and now have healthy moms and kids. I know that this isn't popular with a lot of oncologists but we get moms from across the nation who want a chance of having a healthy baby and also being treated for cancer and while our success certainly isn't 100%, the moms know this going into it and are willing to take a chance.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · May 11, 2018

Work in geriatrics and you won't have to worry about it.

I would not recommend pediatrics, school (unless elementary), OB-GYN, or community clinics.

When I was a hospital nurse (pediatrics), we once had a teenage patient admitted with a myasthenia gravis flare who was found to be pregnant and had to undergo an abortion before she could receive the treatment necessary for her condition. This would also happen in oncology. I knew of one colleague who had an abortion while I was working there. I'm sure I've had more colleagues who've had abortions who didn't choose to discuss it. When I worked in a boarding school, I had students who had pregnancy scares or who I had to facilitate getting Plan B for. No pregnant ones that I can recall but I didn't work there that long.

RainMom · May 11, 2018

Working at a Catholic facility, there are still occasional situations you may run into if you work OB or surgery. I recently did pre-op for a teenager who took several morning after pills to end a pregnancy but then had to have a D&C. I suppose if someone was VERY opinionated about what the pt did, they could try to switch assignments.

I was also called in to PACU one night for a mom who had miscarried one twin but tragically retained part of the placenta etc & started to go septic after several days. Even though it is a Catholic hospital, to save mom, they induced premature labor for the 2nd baby to be born (no chance of surviving) & then D&C for mom.

abbnurse · May 11, 2018

After spending weeks at a hospital while my dad was there i decided i wanted to pursue nursing as my future career after the great care they provided and i wish to do the same to others. I have pro life beliefs and would not be able to live with myself killing a child. I know abortion is not an easy topic to discuss and i find i am very ignorant in the subject. I would never treat anyone who has had an abortion differently and would give the best care to anyone regardless of religion or life choices. If anyone was in a certain situation when they started nursing school i would love to hear advice on what you did. I see myself either specializing in nurse researching/informarics or even oncology. Im still learning and everything seems new and overwhelming to me so any input is greatly appreciated.
This is in no way meant to push any of my beliefs on any individual or to start arguments. I thank each and everyone of you who are in a nursing field or will be in the future. Your work is invaluable.

Anyone who is a nurse, and works with female patients in any way, will encounter patients who have had an abortion, or more than one abortion.

The subjuct may never come up, depending on the area of nursing in which you choose to work. And you're right, it's not an easy topic to discuss.

I should add, I am very pro-choice, and respect every woman's right to her own, personal decision, be it to parent, choose abortion or choose adoption.

Good luck to you!

Editorial Team / Admin · May 11, 2018

The OR is an area not typically thought of, but you may wish to tread with caution there. While not elective, I have been in a handful of surgeries where termination of a pregnancy was done- ectopics and one uterine rupture at 12 weeks. We've also had patients in a stage of pregnancy where anesthesia was dangerous to the fetus- but the patient elected to proceed as it was a cancer treatment surgery (needed to happen fast due to other symptoms) and she planned an elective termination for a few weeks later.

bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN · May 11, 2018

I don't want to participate in an abortion so I don't apply to work at places that perform abortions routinely (only Planned Parenthiod in my area, the hospitals here only perform them if deemed medically necessary). I ah e never participated in an abortion by have taken care of several patients that have had abortions in the past and referred women to Planned Parenthood when they ask me what their options are for an abortion.

OP I understand that you have issues with abortions and that is okay (I'm somewhere between pro-life and pro-choice). Just keep in mind you are not going to agree with everything your patients do but you have to set aside your personal opinions and take care of the patients. There will always be debates and opinions, you just have to be respectful and take care of your patient.

katenicuRN · May 11, 2018

Hi there!

As the nurse, it is not your place to judge the patient for their beliefs. Our job is to care for the patient and advocate for them. They need us. Depending on your field, this is a dilemma you will rarely (if ever) face. However, as a nurse you never really know what you'll see. I'm a NICU nurse, in my two years I have only ever spoken with one mother about the topic. She was upset because she believed that due to her previous elective abortions God was punishing her by causing her to deliver her baby at 25 weeks. Regardless of my own beliefs, I did some education and told her that sometimes these things just happen. Her abortions had nothing to do with her new preemie. As her babies nurse, I felt it was my job to comfort her and help her get to where she needed to be so she could be there for her baby. I left out any opinions about abortion or religion I may have out of the conversation, because thats neither here nor there.

Prior to nursing school, I was a pretty rigid pro-lifer. However, after beginning nursing school and seeing the evidence, I changed my mind. While I may not personally ever want to do an abortion myself, I absolutely defend the patients right to a safe and accessible abortion. Educating your self on the topic and looking at research is important. I recommend looking at some reliable resources, like google scholar. Once you're in school, your University will probably grant you access to other reliable sources like CINAHL. Educate yourself and form your opinions, but definitely plan a non-biased way to address this topic in your practice if the occasion ever arrises. It is not your job to change the patient's views on things like that. Ultimately, it is the patient's life, not yours.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 11, 2018

I'm very pro-choice, but in 29 years I've never had to deal with it. Having said that, the answer is simple. Do your job and don't allow your personal prejudices to interfere with your professionalism.

This last suggestion can be easier said than done.

I think there is a time and place for just about everything, including AB, but am definitely against AB on demand. I have cared for women immediately post AB. I gave them the best care I knew how to do and never put anyone down.

Persephone Paige, ADN · May 11, 2018

OP I think understand where you are coming from. I am 'pro-life' in the sense that I won't participate in a service where the person who will be dying hasn't been given a say in the matter.

There's an opening for Planned Parenthood close to where I live, as bad as I'd like a job, I just don't apply there. I don't have any trouble being kind to or helping someone recover from abortion. I just won't work where they are performed.

Yet, I would have no trouble working for Hospice. Hospice services are provided to people for whom death is quickly becoming inevitable. It's not an elective. I wouldn't work for a euthanasia clinic. As blurred as these lines may seem, they mean something for me. I think you just have to find your North and you'll find a place for you in nursing. Everybody's North is different...

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · May 11, 2018

I'm pro-life and so I know where you are coming from. Like the others said, don't place yourself in a field where it is a problem for you. As an ER nurse I don't think I've ever dealt with complications related to abortions, but have dealt with problems related to teenage pregancy, spousal abuse, child abuse, drunk drivers, murderers, lack of funds/food/housing. I've had way more contact with rapists and child abusers than I have those who have had abortions.

I think Christians have over spoken themselves about why they are against abortions but don't speak as much about the other sins.

HalfBoiled, BSN, RN · May 11, 2018

Personally, I just don't force my own values onto my patients.

If I disagree with my pt's politics, religion, personal beliefs.

I just follow the hospital policies and give the best nursing care I can give.