Nurses performing abortions??

welnet66 · Apr 17, 2007

There are really two issues to think about concerning this problem. These doctors are not thinking about the consequences of abortion not being safe and accessible and because it's a simple and "lowly" procedure, why not dump the responsibility on nurses. A similar issue is popping up here in NC with the death penalty. Doctors are refusing to push the syringe and now the state is considering allowing nurses to do it. Are we going to be forced to change our caduceus to a scythe?

olol765 · Apr 17, 2007

I think it goes against all our training. We hopefully went into nursing to save lives, comfort the sick, tend to the poor, and help the helpless. Our job is to speak up for those that can't speak for themselves. How can we as nurses take the very life we are supposed to protect??

allnurses Guide · Apr 17, 2007

Are nurses a monolith?

None of us might agree with the "young docs"?

steph

DebblesRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2007

I think it goes against all our training. We hopefully went into nursing to save lives, comfort the sick, tend to the poor, and help the helpless. Our job is to speak up for those that can't speak for themselves. How can we as nurses take the very life we are supposed to protect??

I agree, but I also think it goes against the doctor's training as well, who vow to "first, do no harm"--and what is abortion?? It harms the fetus. So I am not sure what the difference is.

It, in my opinion, is a surgical procedure that should be performed by a licensed physician, and completely falls out of the scope of nursing practice.

lovejana22 · Apr 17, 2007

^^^^^^:yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat:

Dayray, RN · Apr 17, 2007

Nothing new

thereaputic abortions are done by nurses all the time. doc leaves orders nures places cytotec or starts pit MD is present for delvery but as well know that is a very small part of the procedure.

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 17, 2007

I think suction abortion (and other similarly invasive procedures) should be performed, supervised, and attended by trained physicians, not nurses.

The administration of medications by nurses under the order of physicians, nothing new.

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 17, 2007

PS--- doctors should have the right to refuse training and participation in therapeutic abortion, IMO. As should nurses and pharmacists. As long as this is made clear to patients, and also, as long there is an alternative for such patients to seek, I have no problem with this.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Apr 17, 2007

The ANA states we as nurses have the right to refuse to participate in procedures that we are morally against, as long as the patient is not placed in danger as a result of that decision. I'm wondering if the AMA has a similar position.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Apr 17, 2007

PS--- doctors should have the right to refuse training and participation in therapeutic abortion, IMO. As should nurses and pharmacists. As long as this is made clear to patients, and also, as long there is an alternative for such patients to seek, I have no problem with this.

:yeahthat:

kittagirl · Apr 17, 2007

Nurses in the UK are fully within their rights to refuse to participate in abortion, and their decision and job are protected.

I'm not going to get in to the abortion debate, each of us know where they stand ....etc

The thing is this is the tip of a of a wider problem in the UK, with some trainee doctors refusing to attend lectures about and ultimately treat patients with Sexually Transmitted Illnesses, stating religion as their reason/excuse.

There has also been, originally isolated, now becoming a bit more common GP's refusing to treat Gay and Lesbian patients, people with drug problems, patients with alcohol related diseases as their life style/choices (their words not mine) are against their religion.

As GP's in Britain are paid by the government to provide a service to the general public, and the government also pays for their training, it's a touchy subject.

There are enough private health care providers springing up in the UK that if you as a doctor are that opposed to any of the above it wouldn't be difficult to find another job.

The other issue is the abortion law in the UK, which requires 2 doctors to sign off an abortion. So if you live in a rural area that only has one GP practice with 2 doc's and one or both refuse to help a patient obtain an abortion it means that for some, particularly the younger and more vulnerable there may be no alternative; as although traditionally it was also acknowledged that if a doc was against abortion that he/she was obliged to refer you on to a doctor who could/would help. This is also been ignored. If you have not been referred on it is virtually impossible to get on a new GP list.

There are also opinions floating around in the 'older' medical world (i.e.: 4 consultants I worked with today, I know not a true sample group, but at least I'm honest....but it is a hot topic at the minute; just as a extra this was 3 men 1 woman, the woman is pregnant, all the men have children, ant the ethnic/ religious mix 1 Chinese/ British, 1 Egyptian, 1 white British and 1 white British/Greek; no religion, RC, Muslim, and Atheist ) that students are opting out and claiming religious grounds as it makes their life easier, it is one less lecture series to take, one less procedure to learn and there's no come back.

Anyway I think I've forgotten my point, oh yea there's a lot more to this that meets the eye at first there is also the fact that a lot of doctors oppose nurses performing abortions as well. In other words we don't want to do it but we don't want you to either.