Nursing School

BMS4 · Dec 18, 2002

No clinical rotation directly dealing with abortion. We did a rotation in a women's clinic where we discussed a pt's options. Is that what you are talking about?

daisy16 · Dec 18, 2002

What I mean is that I was doing a report about abortion. And I learned that the nurses have to make sure all the babys' body parts are there & help prepping the patient for abortion. I do not believe in abortion and I DO NOT want to have to do that. So, I wanted to know whether or not you have to do that as a nursing student

emily_mom · Dec 18, 2002

So work for a Catholic hospital where they don't perform them and you'll be just fine. We also did women's health in school but that was NOT part of our training. Just as OB or NICU is a specialty, so is this. You will not be subjected to it unless you want to be. We only have one hospital that does them, and will only do it if the mother's life is at risk or there is fetal demise and spontaneous abortion does not occur.

Kristy

MidwifeWannaB · Dec 18, 2002

Is it true that as a practicing nurse you cannot be legally forced to participate in the abortion procedure? I remember reading that somewhere and was wondering if anyone knows anything about it. I feel the same way Daisy does, and would be just sick if I had to take part in an abortion.

:nurse:

aimee

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2002

You can't be forced to participate in the actual abortion but you are expected to treat the patient in a non-judgemental manner and care for the patient after the abortion procedure. At least, that's what our school faculty told us. If it's such a problem for you then work for a Catholic hospital.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 18, 2002

You'll need to consider your strong views about abortion when you consider your specialty and your employer. If you don't want to participate in abortions, don't work in a unit where they are done. Few (if any) schools would force a student to participate in one involuntarily.

This raises another issue, however. How will you deal with patients who are considering abortion or who have had one in the past? This is the type of patient you might encounter in any number of settings -- a family practice clinic, a general med/surg floor, etc. Will you be able to accept and respect that patient's decision and to give her good care even though you disagree with her decision?

That's an issue we all face at some times during our career. Can you give your best care when the patient is making choices you don't approve of? (sexual practices, drugs, religion, criminal activity, etc.)

llg

Lausana · Dec 18, 2002

It's basically putting yourself in your patient's shoes...you wouldn't want them to care for you any differently based on why you were there-which I'm sure you wouldn't. I think we all probably have our personal beefs with what people do to themselves or others...but when they come in you're there to do your job.

But no, you won't be forced to be in that position during clinicals.

Love-A-Nurse · Dec 18, 2002

you (in general) as a student and a nurse (in general) should come to terms with issues that may have a strong personal effect on us (in general).

as it has been stated, you do not have to be directly involved if you do not want to.

asking questions is a positive.

Ortho_RN · Dec 18, 2002

I second with Lausana..... I am not a firm believer in abortions either but if I was assigned to a pt, then I would take care of the patient to my ability and treat them as I would want to be treated.. I don't know her reasons, nor should it matter what they are....

If you are going to go into nursing then you will probably run into ALOT of things that you don't like or agree with.. I think you have to learn how to look past those things and take care of the patient...