pro life to work in ER OR OB

"Will you care for a drug addict, a murderer, someone who drinks to excess, someone who lies, cheats or steals? I feel if you start saying that you WILL not care for one area of the patient population you had better be equal across all populations. We are there to give nursing care, not to judge people by their circumstances. No one is perfect, if we were then we wouldn't need nurses in the first place."

With all due respect, I don't think this is the issue. The OP has stated that he would still provide care to someone who had a past abortion, so I would venture to say he understands and is capable of providing non-judgemental care to all those populations listed above. However, he does not want to take part in the act itself, or be in a position that would "allow" the act to take place.

Much like he probably would not be comfortable providing drugs, alcohol, a murder weapon, etc. . . .

Your previous thread on the same topic went on for fifteen pages. I'm curious what you think will be said in this one that hasn't been said before.

I'm sorry but I've just got to say this...This is not Christ-like at all. God said to hate the sin but love the sinner. You're a nurse whose taken an oath to be your patient's advocate...to take care of the patient. You can't pick and choose your patients like you're at a grocery store-- Oh, I'll take that one but this one???!!!!
Have you even considered maybe you could be the one person to show compassion and lead taht person down a better path in life!! Remember,
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!!!

The problem isn't one of moral conscience - it's one of doctrine. According to the Roman Catholic Church, any person who participates materially in an abortion is de facto an accomplice and therefore subject to excommunication latae sententiae; upon commission. However, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops clarify the RN's role thus:

"Cooperation in the sinful act of abortion would not ordinarily extend to preparing patients for the procedure or providing after-care. However, because in many instances abortion is promoted as an alternate method of birth control and thus a denial of the value of the child, the cooperation of the Catholic health care worker may be interpreted as agreement that the unborn child is of subordinate value and has no right to life. Christian witness may well require Catholic nurses to avoid even those actions that -- although not necessarily evil -- may be interpreted as a compromise of Christian values."

Consult with your pastoral leader and make your decision based on guidance and your own conscience.

Personally, I believe that we are called to care for souls in need, and that is an absolute imperative - which means that providing care pre- and post- procedure, and ensuring that informed consent is obtained, information on alternatives is provided if applicable, and post-abortion counseling is provided for is part of a moral duty as well as a nursing duty. It does not condone the procedure, but acknowledges the spiritual effect. Your mileage may vary.

(snipped)

Sorry, hit send before thinking.

My apologies - I thought we had been discussing things from a Catholic viewpoint as well as a nursing one.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
"Every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil" (CCC 2370). "Legitimate intentions on the part of the spouses do not justify recourse to morally unacceptable means . . . for example, direct sterilization or contraception" (CCC 2399).

They differ only in degree, not in nature or acceptability. Both actions are "intrinsically evil." To repudiate one doctrine is to repudiate the doctrine entire.

Sorry if that opens a whole 'nother can of worms, or sidetracks the discussion - but one ought to be consistent with his/her application of doctrine. Just my opinion.