Abortion Assistance RN

[lucyluv]

This is NOT a political thread. I am looking to hear from RNs working in clinics assisting with abortion procedures. Due to a personal calling, I think I am cut out for the job (with training!!!), but really need an insiders view. Is it scary, i.e. do you feel safe going to work? What do you tell people you do when they ask, and you are not comfortable with revealing your line of work due to the stima around it? Do you think as a new grad with experience in L&D and Postpartum I will be able to learn quickly and function well in the job? Sorry! So many questions!:nurse:But I would LOVE your honest and NONjudgemental responses.

THANK YOU!

Lucyluv

[klone, MSN, RN]

No info, but I've always felt called to that area, also. I currently am an L&D nurse, so it's definitely the other end of the spectrum. My dream is someday to work for Planned Parenthood, but unfortunately, I live in a smaller town so our only PP is an ancillary clinic that doesn't hire RNs.

Good luck with seeking info - I'll be reading this thread with interest.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

A relative of mine works in a clinic that does this. She wears a bulletproof vest in and out of the office. She said that aside from that, she feels pretty much safe. When people ask her what she does she says "i'm a nurse in a clinic." No one's pried so far.

[Meerkat]

I worked for planned parenthood at a surgical site. Our clinic was bombed but no one was hurt. He did it at night when no one was there. He went to prison for 4 years. He is out now.

I think it depends alot on what region. In the south, many people are conservative...and you can expect more difficulties and threats. But it can happen anywhere. It's also a very quick burnout, in my opinion. I liked the work when I was there, but now I could not go back to it---too much heartbreak not to mention assisting in abortions. I'll spare everyone the details but PM me if you want to know more.

[judyblueeyes]

I don't work in a clinic, but in a specialty hospital whose primary focus is women's health. We don't "do teminations" per se, but do terminate pregnancies for various reasons. We don't attract the attention a specialty clinic does so I've never had to give extra consideration to personal safety issues.

[hkmrn]

To the person who asked the abortion assistance RN question-

I know there are many people who are pro-choice in this board but there are also many of us who are pro-life. In fact, I would say most of the OB nurses I work with are pro-life. Maybe you are not getting a lot of replies to your question because most of us could not imagine assisting with abortion. It is murder to us. I witness the miracle of birth almost every shift I work. I could not imagine being a part of destroying life..

Sorry, just my two cents...

Maybe you would get more answers to your question on another board.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

I believe that the poster is well aware of the facts and psychosocial issues involved in abortion. And I am sure that they are quite familiar of the issues regarding Prolife/Prochoicers, and of those religious/social/ethical concerns that you voice. I doubt that a discussion of life issues was necessary

The speciality that the OP is talking about, is uniquely OB/Gyn related. It would be remiss to place it in, say, the "neuro" or "geriatric" forums. For that matter, the issues that you describe are just polarizing there as OB/Gyn. For that matter, people like myself that do not believe in abortion, often work in those other areas, in order to not have my stance interfere with pt care. Therefore, it was posted in the right place.

Though if abortion does get banned, ID/ER/ICU will find many patients as a result of the illegal, septic abortions that roll in.

While the OP might find more postings under general nursing, I am sure that this is indeed the right forum. Others may not like that and there may not be many answers, but often the best questions have few answers.

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

For a few reasons - to come and post this here despite the obligatory "how could you... how dare you" flames and the fact that you would consider potentially putting yourself at risk to assist women in a procedure that is legal.

I too am looking foward to this thread and hope that we can get some first hand experience without the political BS. When I was a teen, my mother and I volunteered with our local NOW chapter and escorted women into clinics from their cars in the parking lot. No questions asked - for all I knew, they were utilizing the clinic for condoms and pap smears (those services were offered at low or no cost). To assume what procedure they were getting, and harass them for it was a flagrant violation of their rights - and completely humiliating. I never met any of the nurses or MDs that worked inside, but I imagine that my part was probably easier than theirs.

Good luck,

Blee

lucyluv said:

This is NOT a political thread. I am looking to hear from RNs working in clinics assisting with abortion procedures. Due to a personal calling, I think I am cut out for the job (with training!!!), but really need an insiders view. Is it scary, i.e. do you feel safe going to work? What do you tell people you do when they ask, and you are not comfortable with revealing your line of work due to the stima around it? Do you think as a new grad with experience in L&D and Postpartum I will be able to learn quickly and function well in the job? Sorry! So many questions!:nurse:But I would LOVE your honest and NONjudgemental responses.

THANK YOU!

Lucyluv

[SmilingBluEyes]

I would kindly ask we keep the prolife/prochoice argument out of this thread and just try to answer the op's questions. those who have experiences to share, please do. Those who feel like making this a political or moral issue thread, I ask you please refrain. Thanks for understanding!

[Noryn]

I dont know how many RNs would be employed in these positions and I have never seen a position advertised for a RN in this setting. This may be the correct forum but the general forum or lpn forum may hit more of these nurses. I imagine it is like most clinics/offices, as they would staff more lpns and med assistants than rns.

I dont have any numbers but I would bet it is safer than regular bedside nursing. Elderly patients with dementia, pts with mental health disorders, pts going through withdrawal can be very dangerous and I have seen nurses injure themselves often lifting pts to which you wouldnt have to worry about in this setting.

I also agree that it would depend on the location but I would imagine you have to be very observant of your surroundings.

[judyblueeyes]

hkmrn said:

To the person who asked the abortion assistance RN question-

I know there are many people who are pro-choice in this board but there are also many of us who are pro-life. In fact, I would say most of the OB nurses I work with are pro-life. Maybe you are not getting a lot of replies to your question because most of us could not imagine assisting with abortion. It is murder to us. I witness the miracle of birth almost every shift I work. I could not imagine being a part of destroying life..

Sorry, just my two cents...

Maybe you would get more answers to your question on another board.

You aren't speaking for me.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Quote

I too am looking foward to this thread and hope that we can get some first hand experience without the political BS.

Exactly, and with one exception, it's been quite informative.