I am having one of those delmias where I am sort of offended for being a Pro_Choice supporter and a former nurse at a free standing Womens Center (Abortion Clinic). I am not posting this there, to hear why it is wrong or right. I do not want open that can of eggs!
I was just talking (in the chat room) and the subject went to abortion from oral birth control pills. I am very open and told them I had some experience in that area, the Nurse I was talking to got offended that my greatest desire is to catch babies and I am Pro-Choice. They would not drop the subject when I said we had a difference of opinion and I asked them to talk about something else. This was after we had chatted for hours previously! I even said I like you, lets not go there!
They said I contraindicated myself as a supporter of natural childbirth and I was basically a hippocrate. I was offended and had some thoughts about what they just said and wanted to tell them so. Since they basically said there piece and left (rudely) I thought I could ask you how to handle this if we ever meet again or if someone else dumps on me about working in a abortion clinic.
I had wanted to say that I support Pro-Choice and all Womens Rights. This includes the right to birth in the enviroment she desires and all that entails. I think you can not support one right and not others! I also wanted to say that I do not think it is right to have it on demand for a means of contraception, but as a last resort. But in order to keep the right I must support the right to have it on demand, or it will be regulated to the piont of no return and fade away as a right!
But my post here is not about the right or when it is correct but how to say "YES, I have worked in an abortion clinic" and not have to defend my actions or be embarrassed about saying that I have that experience. I am still a member of the ARHP (the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals) their URL is http://www.arhp.org/arhpframe.html
Why should I feel the need to hide my past or such? How do you as a nurse promoting birthing options and rights of the mother deal with these type of people? I would really like to hear from Nurses who have or do work in abortion clinics to help me answer this for future reference and to help ease my mind a little! Oh by the way I am a male and I need to show all my experience on a resume where I have worked with female specific clients, as this is the area I want to work in as my carreer goal! I know that this work HX has cost me some employment oppurtunities, also! During interviews it always comes up!
Here is how I worded it in my resume and it is factual, no hype:
Participated as a member of a multidiscipline team providing holistic gynecological and abortion services. The position was as an admitting nurse and post operatively in the PACU, and as the
discharge nurse. Duties included maintaining a safe environment for the client throughout the stay of the client. Responsibilities where to assess and document vital signs, provide client
education, emotional support, and administer medications per protocols. Post operatively assessed and documented clients responses to the surgical procedures; vital signs, lady partsl discharge and fluid loss, pain level, their emotional status and provided additional client education. Prior to the release of the client, counter signed for prescriptions of oral contraceptives and dispensed samples per the physician’s and NWC. & the Physicians protocols. This was a part-time position.
I did not say in the resume that we also did paps, STD/HIV testing/education, abortion alternative counseling/referral, or post abortion counseling. At the time I was not preforming those services in my position. Since then I have become certified as a HIV/AIDS Education Instructor in two different courses through the American Red Cross!
Those who want to debate the issue of abortion need not reply!
