This was posted before but not here about abortion

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Greetings and Salutations All Nurses,

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!

:confused:

:rolleyes:

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In a chat room i think you get alot of raw emotion-abortion has a nasty stereotype. I am pro-choice-i believe every women has a right to make a choice as to what is best for her.People think abortion clinics only do abortions-wrong they do counseling, will set up services to help the mom if she decide to keep the child, post counseling for those who have abortions, testing for std's some even do women services like pap testing and pelvic's just because you believe one way should not keep you from what you want to do.just consider the source, because i am sure trying to educate someone who feels so strongly about the right to life would not Hear you because They won't be listening. I will be pro choice forever :)

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As a Nurse Midwife, who catches lots of babies, I too, am pro-choice.

My duty to a client is to support the choice she makes, and ensure she has and understands all information she needs to make an informed choice, including possible emotional consequences of whatever choice is made.

As a "pro-choice" Nurse Midwife, I too have run into other CNMs who fervently believe that a midwife CANNOT be pro choice, that it is an utter contradiction in philosophies.

My Masters Midwifery program avoided open discussion of the subject because of the emotional investment.

Too bad the persons you were chatting with could not agree to disagree and drop the subject.

Innercity CNM - who has a real problem with spelling...

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Originally posted by P

As a Nurse Midwife, who catches lots of babies, I too, am pro-choice.

My duty to a client is to support the choice she makes, and ensure she has and understands all information she needs to make an informed choice, including possible emotional consequences of whatever choice is made.

As a "pro-choice" Nurse Midwife, I too have run into other CNMs who fervently believe that a midwife CANNOT be pro choice, that it is an utter contradiction in philosophies.

My Masters Midwifery program avoided open discussion of the subject because of the emotional investment.

Too bad the persons you were chatting with could not agree to disagree and drop the subject.

Innercity CNM - who has a real problem with spelling...

I think you know what I am talking about. How can somebody not support the right of women to have birthing options and not support thier right to thier body (pregnant or not to be pregnant). I am glad to meet you!;)

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I think that abortion should not even be an issue if there were better access to OCP's and depo. Although there would probably still be issues of carelessness but unwanted pregnancy would be much much less.

so far I have not been in many situations that incur me to make this desicion to be prochoice or not. But I do feel that contraception should be more easily available and offered to teens as early as 12 or 13 years old. Maybe by the school nurse when they enter high school or even possibly as an over the counter.

I do not feel it should need a parental consent or need a parental consented medical visit. People under the age of 18 yrs old do not need parental consent to be sexually active so why for contraception. The exam should free too. If oral contraceptives or depo could be prescribed free of charge along with the initial pap and exam in the schools- this may provide a solution in unwanted teen pregnancy. Of coorifice does not prevent STD transmission on the other hand.

I think early contraception is the key.

- "say no to abortions by saying yes to Depo"

Jared

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Originally posted by kennedyj

I think that abortion should not even be an issue if there were better access to OCP's and depo. Although there would probably still be issues of carelessness but unwanted pregnancy would be much much less.

so far I have not been in many situations that incur me to make this desicion to be prochoice or not. But I do feel that contraception should be more easily available and offered to teens as early as 12 or 13 years old. Maybe by the school nurse when they enter high school or even possibly as an over the counter.

I do not feel it should need a parental consent or need a parental consented medical visit. People under the age of 18 yrs old do not need parental consent to be sexually active so why for contraception. The exam should free too. If oral contraceptives or depo could be prescribed free of charge along with the initial pap and exam in the schools- this may provide a solution in unwanted teen pregnancy. Of coorifice does not prevent STD transmission on the other hand.

I think early contraception is the key.

- "say no to abortions by saying yes to Depo"

Jared

Greetings,

The subject of this post was about "How to present the fact you have participated in this activity in a light that is not offensive to a person with a different POV. Hard if not impossible to do, but as a male I need to show any experience I have in Women's Health, esp. since I want to work there!

Now to your point Jared, yes OCP's should be made availible as soon as the person wants them and in community areas (a school nurse if school is the community). No debate there but in the USA we have a gag rule and it is increasingly harder to present contraceptive information, also a subject for an other post! In addition as a HIV/AIDS Educator lets recall that the only safe method for prevention of pregnancy and infections is to abstain! Third even if you use OCP's I tell them to use a latex condom or the Reality Female Condom to protect themselves from those other bugs and even condoms / OCP's fail! Education is the key and here, it has ceased since Mr. Bush took office, I think it was the first order of business for his new adm.:eek:

In his agenda is to abolish Roe vs. Wade and abortion rights:mad:

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I know this has been on here for awhile now. As for your experience on the resume...hopefully people in the position of reading it for the purpose of hiring you got there by being objective.

Also, whether the one in the position of hiring you is prochoice or not...from what I've read...your experience is an asset and the fact that you were an emotional support, educator, etc during abortion pre/post care.

We are supposed to leave our personal feelings out of it where patients are concerned...why heated, rude discussion on chat? I guess some cannot DISCUSS w/o being emotional and offended at diff of opinion?

I think the fact you worked in a clinic should be a part of the interview...esp since not all places are run well with great nurses...but it's sad that it has prevented you some opportunities.

Just my opinion!

~Lisa :)

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Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to say the nurses I've met at Planned ParentHood (In Boston) were some of the NICEST, CARING, people I've ever met.

Jamie :)

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Who's body is it anyway? Does my body belong to the community? To the State I live in ?? Of course not. Something so obvious to some of us....

I agree, you have to protect the rights of abortion on demand, or it will be regulated to the point of non existance and think of all the unwanted pregnancies.

And even though I think all pregnant women should have access to prenatal care, for the sake of the child, I think Bush's new proposal will be a step closer to ending abortion. I think he wants fetuses recognized as "Unborn Children" giving them rights. It's a nice idea, but that means we lose our right to terminate a pregnancy because we'll infringe on that fetuses right to live. How can you give a fetus a right to health care benefits , but not life itself. HUGE can of worms.

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Specializes in Trauma acute surgery, surgical ICU, PACU.

Some people think pro-choice is anti-baby.

It's sad that it has to be such a fight for women to have this control over their own lives, their own bodies.

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Specializes in Nurse Education, Obstetrics, Surgery.

I am not going to be hostile about your opinion. I feel you have the right to it. So do I for my own opinion. I just don't see how we can tell a mom who just delivered to not shake her baby and then say to another woman that it's ok to abort something that has it's own heartbeat?

I am Pro-Life. I was Pro-Choice. Before the kids. Before the difficult miscarraiges. Before my assignment at the children's home for severely handicapped. All children are beautiful.And they all can love.

I speak out now b/c of a recent experience. It has affected me. She was a young mom who was 22 weeks. SHe had a 18month old at home who was delivered by c/s. She was brought in by EMS in severe pain. She spent the day at an abortion clinic and was given 2400 mcgs of miso as far as we could account and what we found in her. We found a heartbeat and we saw the baby moving on the u/s. The mom was devastated. She wanted to die. From the pain and the guilt she poured into herself. We gave her morphine and supported her. No one came in with her. The FOB and family were also against abortion. She begged us to stop it or to help the baby. We consulted NICU. Too small. Too young. Don't call us. She delivered quickly. She was already 4cm when we got her. The baby was kicking and punching out gasping for air. We all, Pro-Life and Pro-Choice, couldn't stand there and watch her die. We're nurses, here to save lives. Someone found her sucking on her finger and that was it. NICU was called. She'll be 3 months old. She's beautiful. The mom's beautiful. We're friends now. I hoped and now they'll be great testimonies. And that's all I hope for. That you read our testimony. No hostility. No anger. Just sadness. And hope that we will someday see each others view clearly.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Dear Mickeymom,

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. I too have seen my beliefs evolve from pro-abortion to pro-life, in part because of my experience of caring for aborted fetuses who went on to thrive. One went home to its birth mother, later to be joined by a younger brother. The other child was placed for adoption with a wonderful family. What a difference these children have made in the lives of others!

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