Would you assist in abortions?

PJRNC2 · Mar 23, 2004

I would never assist in abortion - by any means.

Betty_SPN_KS, LPN · Mar 23, 2004

Michelle, you are allowed to refuse to participate in procedures that you believe are immoral. They will get someone else to do it. The important thing is to be upfront about it (don't apply to work in an abortion clinic and then say you won't participate in them, kwim?:)). I refuse to participate in circumcisions and it has never been a problem. Several nurses where i work will not participate in blood transfusions.

We decided NOT to have our five sons circumcised.

renerian, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2004

That is a yes.

renerian

P_RN, ADN, RN · Mar 23, 2004

To the original questions:

No

nurseunderwater · Mar 23, 2004

We decided NOT to have our five sons circumcised.

us too. 3 sons

oh, and to the op. yes I would.

allnurses Guide · Mar 23, 2004

No.

(Fergus, I didn't want my sons circ'd . . .. hubby did. I recently asked the boys if they wished I had not had it done. They were both adamant that they were GLAD they were circ'd. Life is funny . . . :)

steph

imenid37 · Mar 23, 2004

No I would not assist in abortion. I would and have cared for people afterward in different circumstances. If you go somewhere that does them, be prepared you may have to care for mom when she delivers the fetus, though you may be exempt from participating in the actual procedure. This really worked on my emotional state at a fragile point in my life, so I think a person really needs to examine what is inside of them before they take on a role like this whether they are pro-life or pro-choice it is an emotionally taxing situation.

fergus51 · Mar 23, 2004

I get that Steph, but if they had been raised with foreskin I doubt they would have cared either:) It usually is the dad that wants the sons to be one way or another, cause whatever they are is what's normal. Whatever the parents decide doesn't bug me, I just can't be the one strapping the baby down, kwim? Fortunately, I have never felt any pressure in this area. The main reason I would participate in abortions is because so many nurses won't, not because I want to. But, with circs most nurses have no problems so I have never been pressured to participate or sensed any annoyance among my coworkers for not wanting to. The strange thing is I am at a traditionally jewish hospital now and we don't do them.... Go figure:)

I think it's important that nurses are able to practice acording to their beliefs, but can still provide sensitive care to families when they make different choices. The vast majority of nurses I have worked with seem able to do this whether the issue be abortion, circumcision, blood transfusions, withdrawal of care or whatever.

allnurses Guide · Mar 23, 2004

Fergus . . . .I agree with you on alot of your points. If the boys had foreskins, maybe their opinion would be different, although the circ rate around here is probably close to 95%. Both boys think it looks funny but of course that is because it is not the norm. Round and round we go . . . :)

I also think your point about nurses knowing their beliefs and practicing according to them is a good one.

I think even for people who are pro-choice, there are some iffy areas . . women who use abortion for birth control and have many abortions (my sister) and partial birth abortion. And people who are pro-life . . .what do you say to the 11 year old whose body isn't ready to be pregnant and was molested?

It really isn't black and white, at least to me.

Thanks for your reasoned input, as always. Spaghetti's boiling . . . . .gotta go

steph

fergus51 · Mar 23, 2004

Love ya babe! I totally feel the same way! I find there are less and less areas of black and white in the world:).... Mmmmmmmm ..... spaghetti........

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 23, 2004

I could help in the administration of morning-after pills w/o a problem

in surgical abortion, I could NOT.

aftercare? ABSOLUTELY and with THE MOST SINCERE COMPASSION I COULD EVER MUSTER ....you betcha.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2004

But, with circs most nurses have no problems so I have never been pressured to participate or sensed any annoyance among my coworkers for not wanting to. The strange thing is I am at a traditionally jewish hospital now and we don't do them.... Go figure:)

Off topic, I know but....

"Traditional" Jews do not have circs done in the hospital...at all. They are done by a trained and religious moyel, on the eighth day after birth (how many babies stay in hospital 8 days?) in a religious ceremony. Frequently, it is done at the parent's home. The baby is NOT! strapped down or left naked and cold and crying, as in a hospital. The baby is held by parents or friends of parents, he is kept warm and wrapped (except for the "essential part"), he is cuddled and comforted during the rite. He also receives some kosher wine on his tongue. It is done with sterile technique (moyels have to attend long classes and be certified) and I have never known there to be complications. And as the procedure is done as part of religious rite and outside the hospital, no nurses would be assisting unless they were part of the family and involved in the rite.

Some Jews actually do not have "complete" circumcision where the entire foreskin is removed. They have a kind of small cut or a pinprick as a symbolic gesture of the rite. This is also ocasionally done with preemies or those babies that might have health impairments that might make the full procedure pose some danger to the baby. It is also done ocasionally with adult converts.

A circ as typically done in the hospital would be considered barbaric to many Jews and also not fulfill religious law. The sacred rite and religious aspect must be part of the Bris(circ) or the physical procedure is useless.

It is the religious aspect that is important...the actual procedure is not as important. (Some Jews might disagree.....but this is my understanding)