Circumcision

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I am not a nursing student yet, but I figured current nursing students would have better knowledge.

I am extremely against routine infant circumcision. Would I be forced to sit in on them or participate in them during nursing school? I have no plans in working a place that performs them if and when I complete it. Just wondering. And if they do make you, would they understand if I took no part in it?

I addressed the issue up front in my NS interview, and they said I would not be required to participate in any way. Additionally, the organization Doctors Opposing Circumcision has a pdf relating to conscientious objectors, and the organization Nurses for the Rights of the Child may also have information in that regard. Best wishes!

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I think it's quite exaggerated to say that she will eliminate herself from the job market. The vast majority of nursing positions don't require the nurse to assist with circumcisions. To go into nursing, you don't have to want to do every single thing every single type of nurse does. I'm sure not very many people would fit that criteria if that were the case.

But, I do think there's something really important to keep in mind in what you're saying, Esme -- it's not our place as nursing students (or future nurses) to impose our personal beliefs on patients. If your belief is sooo strong that you can't imagine yourself taking part in the procedure, that's probably workable, as I'm sure there are lots of nurses who would rather not participate in an abortion or something like that. But you probably shouldn't be making your views known to patients or even your employer, as they could definitely be construed as offensive or contentious (just as if someone voiced their views on abortion at work). Best of luck, OP!

The OP indicated she would
I have no plans in working a place that performs them
that would severely decrease her options as a nurse...... for hospitals perform circumcisions. As nurses our job is to care for the patients....not push our personal beliefs/biases on the patients. Your personal beliefs are not to be discussed with patients or their families....that's it bottom line.

While hospitals do not FORCE you to participate in things you are vehemently opposed to....like abortions....you cannot make it impossible for units to function because your personal beliefs are intrusive. They will make accommodations.....IF.....it causes them no hardship.

OP.....even people who believe in natural childbirth can be Jewish and will want their child circumcised.....there may not always be someone to cover for you while this procedure is done....and you will still have to care for the mother and circumcised baby ....to say...as you did in your original post....that you have no intention of working in a place that performs them...isn't realistic...it just isn't....and it will limit your job prospects.....you might not agree with your patients life style but it is not up to you to judge them....it is your job to care for them like everyone else.

This is not abut your belief in circumcision...nor my belief in circumcision for my son is not circumcised (personal choice based on information) ......it is about your responsibilities as a nurse. What are the expectations of you as a professional to care for patients without judgement. I have cared for people with some pretty strange beliefs...and even witnessed and exorcism or two with a voodoo ceremony on the side.....it is NOT for your to judge.

Depending on where you work....you will have to at one time or another care for a patient and perform a procedure that they don't consent to. There isn't a child alive that will consent to blood work....but if a newborn develops a fever and needs a septic work up....you will have to participate in that septic work up while that baby screams the entire time through the blood work, spinal tap and straight cath urine. That infant will not be able to give consent, and probably would refuse if they could...... but may die if you refuse to do the workup.....your co-workers/management will soon tire of your "beliefs" and the necessity of others doing the tuff stuff...while you indulge your beliefs.

Just like you cannot allow someone who is suicidal walk out the door.....but they won't consent to stay.....you must help them stay by physical and/or chemical restraint....that is the law. Nursing is full of grey areas....but the patient needs to be cared for and safe.

It is ok to have your convictions....I am just trying to help you see that humans are messy and complex.......nursing is a TOUGH job.....dealing with infants and children is NEVER easy. I am not making this a debate.....so many nursing students enter and are not aware what it really is all about and they are shocked. So will leave because of this.

I'm trying to help you see that it isn't that simple and it is not about you and your beliefs...... it's about the patient and their beliefs. Especially in this market where the wverage job search is 14-18 months...and some areas of the country (California, New York) have a 47% rate of unemployment of new grads.

I wish you the best on your nursing journey.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I admire your way with words...unfortunately, there are always going to be racists, chauvinists, criminals, zealots, and people that just have different convictions than you. Part of nursing is respecting the patient and putting aside your own opinions, even though that can be very difficult!!!

That is what I said....

what is more important.........As a nurse your personal opinion, in many ways, doesn't count.....it is NOT about you but about the patient. You can't argue or shame a Jewish mother about the circumcision of her son because you personally are not an advocate of that procedure. Your job....is to care for that mother and baby and educate them about the proper care of the baby after discharge...which has NOTING what so ever to do with your personal beliefs.
Thank you, I would like to reiterate that I am not against circumcision. I am against non therapeutic routine infant circumcision where informed consent can not be given by the patient himself. I will do no harm, nor assist in harm being done to a person that cannot consent to a procedure himself without medicalnecessity. My main goal is to become a Lactation Consultant through the IBCLC Program and perhaps work at a birth center where they have a more natural minded place of work. This is not a debate, just making sure I am understood in my opinion.

To answer your original question, I think you should discuss this with your clinical instructor and not us. We don't have any say whether or not you will be dismissed during the event of the circ. I think what ESME was trying to say is that the majority of hospitals performs circs and you stated that you would not want to work at any place that performs circs. I agree, that your decisions are not up for debate. However, since you started this post then prepare yourself for other people's opinions. You can take it or leave it.

Thank you, I would like to reiterate that I am not against circumcision. I am against non therapeutic routine infant circumcision where informed consent can not be given by the patient himself. I will do no harm, nor assist in harm being done to a person that cannot consent to a procedure himself without medicalnecessity. My main goal is to become a Lactation Consultant through the IBCLC Program and perhaps work at a birth center where they have a more natural minded place of work. This is not a debate, just making sure I am understood in my opinion.

Just as an FYI. Assisting with circs does NOT do harm to the infant. Implying that nurses do harm because they assist with circs is incorrect. If you don't want to have any part of circs than that is you but don't put down others that assist with circs by implying that harm is being done.

Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.
Just as an FYI. Assisting with circs does NOT do harm to the infant. Implying that nurses do harm because they assist with circs is incorrect. If you don't want to have any part of circs than that is you but don't put down others that assist with circs by implying that harm is being done.

Thank you! I get so sick of stuff I read online about circs. Like, mothers who circ should have their kids taken away and put in foster care, mothers who circ are evil, etc. For some it's a cultural choice, for others religious, for some it's a choice for the baby to look like the daddy. I've also cared for moms who had older family members who had to be circed because of medical issues, and the idea was that it would be better to do it when they are newborn than have to go through it as a child or adult. Regardless of my feelings about circs, someone has to care for the baby and assist the doctor. Honestly, the babies scream way more over being strapped to the board than they do over the procedure. I never enjoyed assisting, but I also didn't enjoy restraining babies for the placement of umbilical lines, or restraining them and assisting in eye exams. Who wants to make a baby cry?

I'm vehemently opposed to abortions, but I've assisted with one in a hospital. Sure, I would have loved to have refused to walk through the door, but someone had to monitor her vitals and her bleeding and all that. In this case, EVERY staff nurse on the unit had refused to deal with it. That left me (the travel nurse, always the recipient of dumping) and another traveler who also strongly opposed abortion to deal with it. At some point, someone has to step up and do their jobs. I didn't have to like her, her decision, or her actions, but as a nurse, I had to do my job.

I'm also opposed to episiotomies without extreme reason, like severe fetal distress requiring immediate delivery. I'd love to have seen the look on the OB's face if I screamed, "Stop! I cannot be made to participate in this! I object!"

Sometimes as nurses we just have to put the soapbox away during work hours.

. It is done for cosmetic purposes . as for religious beliefs, do you all also support female circumsicion ? I don't support or accept things just because of someone's "beliefs"....That being said, as a student you might be offered a chance to watch, you can then explain to the instructor how you feel. Usually most students enjoy watching procedures so you might be able to switch with one.If a hospital has an OB unit, it is done. or maybe that hospital owns another one that does........ sometimes as a nurse you have to do things you don't always ethically agree with or face termination or stiring the pot. Someone has to deal woth it and as the nurse it will be you. You put your beliefs aside and do it , although this can be distrssssi g to those unable to dissociate or compartmentalize. If you stick to your beliefs/values to the point of not working for facilities that do this you may greatly limit you job prospects. even more if you rule out health care systems that have ob departments in any of their facilities

Esme12 - I misunderstood the OP's first post. I thought she was just saying she didn't want to perform them as an RN, not that she didn't want to work at a facility that performs them. I agree with you now.

as for religious beliefs, do you all also support female circumsicion ?

Comparing male circumcision to female genital mutilation is ridiculous. Two totally different things done for totally different reasons.

Comparing male circumcision to female genital mutilation is ridiculous. Two totally different things done for totally different reasons.

They are both done for cosmetic and religious reasons. Although one also has a purpose of demeaning And oppressing one gender. Although one is alot more accepted in America, that is not the case everywhere. It was more of devil's advocate post...but if you think some things are ok because you like the cosmetic results or because of religion, than shouldn't seone else's religious beliefs or aesthetic choices also be okay? Who becomes the arbitrator? But keeping on topic, as a student you can usually talk your way out of this without any issues.

This can be summed up in 2 words: cultural sensitivity. Week 1 of every program teaches you that you have to be culturally sensitive, regardless of your own beliefs. If you don't want to work in a facility that performs circumcisions, peds may not be for you in general. You absolutely cannot judge a mother based on whether or not she chooses this procedure; and if you do judge her, you have to keep your opinion to yourself. I don't agree with a lot of decisions people make regarding many different things, but a career in nursing means a career filled with biting your tongue.

That is what I said....

I was agreeing with you

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