canadian nurses and rights

[Beebop25]

I know i have already posted something about this,, but i thoughtit would be a good idea to get some feedback from Canadian nurses as i am a canadian gal myself. How many nurses would consider themselves to be pro life? and how are these beliefs honored in the profession?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

We welcome all to post @ AN keeping in mind our goal to be professional, educational along with criticism that is constructive and polite.

I always keep in mind Mom's lesson of not sweating the small stuff, keep info short and sweet instead boring monologue and try to keep on topic.

[Fiona59]

I think you have chosen to listen to what you want to hear.

Womens Reproductive Health is a very specific area of nursing. The nurses there are specialists just as those in Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Post Partum, Dialysis, Urology,etc are specialists. Therapeutic terminations would never even be discussed let alone an issue in these area.

Your are making a mountain out of a molehill.

If you should be worrying about anything, it should be how are you going to do a BScN part time? Clinical rotations aren't done part time and the actual nursing classes are usually during the day. Canadian education isn't as flexible as the US when it comes to nursing programmes.

[Beebop25]

Well, in those terms of my degree i may have to not work then or substitute teach. Where there's a will there's a way

[linzz]

Like the others said, I am sure you could easily avoid this situation by switching assignments with another nurse or a variety of other ways. I must add though, you will see many differing people with values that may not line up with yours, but as nurses, we are required to provide competent care, despite our views.

We all have things that bother us, but we have to push past this and take care of the whole patient.

[natsirt21]

Hi,

I'm Canadian and I believe that if someone is passionately against abortions then they should chose an area of nursing where they wouldn't be faced with participating in them. We as nurses are faced with many ethical dilemmas...if you are in a position where you feel you cannot choose to not be apart of abortions then you should talk to your employer/nurse manager and see if you can change your nursing position to where you would be less stressed by this question. Good luck!

[BahoRN]

I have the perfect solution...Geriatrics! No abortion dilemmas there.

What about Catholic hospitals (e.g St. Joseph's in Toronto), can't they refuse to take part in abortions?

Just remember, personal values and beliefs are just that -personal. You will be faced with a lot of ethical dilemmas in your career, ultimately your ethical choice will end up being what is best for your patient (I hope) :)

[RGN1]

NOt even a nurse yet & already pushing your viewpoint!!?

I've been a nurse 12 years & have never had to be party to abortion (even during my training) however, I nurse the pt & not the condition. Whatever my personal beliefs are, my patient comes 1st.

Trust me, if you're set on nursing you're going to face a lot of things (& people) you don't agree with. Learn to deal with it.

As everyone has said though, it's probably very, very simple to avoid this particular issue of yours. However, put yourself in a worse case scenario & think how you could cope because you never know if you'll be in Emerg dealing with the after effects of an abortion (eg infection, bleeding) or in a surgical unit, same thing. You cannot let your beliefs affect your care, period!!