As a nursing student, will I be prodded to become Prochoice?

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Hello! I am getting ready to start the nursing program in January and I just wondered about nursing and the abortion issues. I know many have their own ideas about what they beleive and that is ok. I happen to be prolife. Not the carry the signs around kind, or the condemning kind. Just that I believe unless medically necessary that a life should not be taken. I just wondered as a student, do you hear much about being prolife? or prochoice? I know prochoice is the leader from what I hear, but Im just hoping we arent ever asked to really discuss it or debate it, as I am sure it would turn pretty nasty. I COULD care for a patient that had an abortion, I just might not have understand or agreed with their decision, but I dont think what I THINK has anything to do with the care of the patient. I just wondered as a nurse if its often discussed, and are you looked down upon if you are Prolife vs. Prochoice.

Specializes in telemetry.

Thank you for asking this question, for I am starting nursing next week and was wondering the same thing. So many people have answered the question and I know I appreciate it as do others out there who were wondering. I even asked my friend who is currently in nursing school at a different college, but all she could say was that they discussed it, but didn't really tell the students what their options were, so this helps alot to know what to expect. Thanks again to everyone that answered!

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Specializes in NICU.

I attend a nursing program at a Catholic university, so obviously the institution as a whole is pro-life, however because we are a professional program, we were never taught 'you WILL be prolife' (I realize that you are, I'm just saying that even at an institution that has a stance on abortion, I was never prodded into feeling one way or another about it). The exception to this would be in my required religion courses, but those aren't associated with the nursing program. As a PP stated so well, what has been communicated to us is that as a nurse you have to be able to put aside all of your personal feelings about what your patient needs care for. If your patient makes lifestyle choices that you don't approve of, they still deserve the best care that you can offer.

As far as abortion specifically, it is my understanding that you can't be forced to participate in a procedure that you have moral qualms with.

Bethany

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

we were told that we could ask to opt out of assisting during the actual procedure but that we had to provide care once the pt was on the floor. You shouldn't be prodded one way or the other.

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Specializes in telemetry/med surg.
New in NY said:
we were told that we could ask to opt out of assisting during the actual procedure but that we had to provide care once the pt was on the floor. You shouldn't be prodded one way or the other.

Thank you! I havent started yet so I truley didnt know what to think. It's not something that I will let cause me a problem by any means, but it IS something I have wondered about, kinda of a what if situation, as since I want to work on L&D it might be a possibility? I actually don't think anywhere around here even does them, so I really am not concerned about that happening at work, I was more worried about being criticized at school. I hope they just talk about it neutrally, and not ask anyone's opinions, and just keep going on with what we need to learn instead of wrapped up in what everyone thinks is right lol. The reason we live in such a diverse world is because everyone is so different, and has their own ways of thinking. Just because I might not feel like something is right for me, doesn't mean I condemn those that don't believe like me. I'm probably worrying for nothing lol, I'm just ready for school to start so I can get on with it !

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Sarah Hay said:
We learn about it, risks etc but to hear "Abortions are wrong," is something you will not hear and if you do ... oh boy, start a riot!

I sure did. I had one instructor say that he thought women who had more than one should be sterilized.

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Hi I am totally prolife except that I never condemn. I don't know a lot of pro-lifers who would consider themselves condemning but that may be my area or the people I associate with. I'd take care of a patient after an abortion etc etc but I wouldn't be able to assist in one.

I hope thats okay because thats the ONLY thing I can see being a problem for me ethically. I could never assist in an abortion or anything like that but I am compassionate and believe I could care for someone post abortion though.

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I guess I better pray to get into a Catholic hospital although someone told me before they dont make as much as reg hospitals and I've heard other stuff.

The abortion issue has actually made me cry and almost vomit before. I cannot even debate about it, that's how hard it is on me. So I'd rather not assist in it. I could take care of a woman post op....though.

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Brikkz, if your only objection is with the procedure itself I don't imagine you'll have much of a problem. Besides, unless you're an OR nurse you don't do that, period. SOmeone please correct me if I'm wrong.

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Cool well I don't know all the rules sorry. I am just about to be a student and saw the title pro-choice and prodding and what not it got my eye.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

no one can prod you or force you to become anything.

the only thing you must become as a nurse is nonjudgemental.

when i took my ethics class, we spent quite a bit of time on abortion, and because i went to nursing school in north carolina, most of my classmates were very conservative. i, on the other hand, am a raging liberal and i am very pro-choice. it got ugly.

anyways, there are going to be lots of sitations you are faced with as a nurse where you feel like your feelings are sometimes hard to overcome when the scenarios are difficult to handle.

i, for instance, had the assignment of caring for a known child molester/rapist (he was an inmate) while he was in the hospital. as a human being, i was disgusted by him. as a nurse, i gave him the good care i would have given to any other patient, and yes, it was very hard! one night he stopped breathing. i had to help save that man's life, even though i hated what he did--i am not the one to pass his judgement. he ended up on a vent and eventually died in the ICU.

i guess the point i'm trying to make is, you don't have to participate in an act that is against your moral or religious beliefs (ie, an abortion)... but you do, however, have to care for the physical and emotional needs of that patient afterwards and be able to do so nonjudgementally.

you'll do fine. all the best in your studies. :)

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Specializes in Community Health.

Nope you would never have to be part of the procedure unless you chose to. And most elective abortions are done at a facility that is specifically designated for that purpose, so unless you worked at one I doubt you would even run into a situation of caring for a women who had had one post-operatively.

I actually have a personal story about this topic-When I was in L&D having my daughter, the nurse who was admitting me asked me all the standard questions including if I had ever had an abortion and when I answered "yes" her entire additude towards me changed. She wasn't outright mean, just wouldn't make eye contact and was a little cold, whereas when I first came in she was joking around and making small talk. The irony was, I didn't even have an elective abortion, I had a D&C because the baby I was carrying stopped developing at 3 weeks but I wasn't miscarrying on my own. I didn't go into detail about it because medically it IS considered an abortion and the procedure is exactly the same as an elective, so I didn't feel the need to go into detail or justify myself to this complete stranger. She may not have intended to react in that way but it was very obvious to ME that she was passing judgement and treating me differently because of her personal views. Anyways, I understand people are passionate on this issue, I just think it's important to keep your emotions in check when you are caring for a patient, because you just never know the full story

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Specializes in telemetry/med surg.
MattiesMama said:
Nope you would never have to be part of the procedure unless you chose to. And most elective abortions are done at a facility that is specifically designated for that purpose, so unless you worked at one I doubt you would even run into a situation of caring for a women who had had one post-operatively.

I actually have a personal story about this topic-When I was in L&D having my daughter, the nurse who was admitting me asked me all the standard questions including if I had ever had an abortion and when I answered "yes" her entire additude towards me changed. She wasn't outright mean, just wouldn't make eye contact and was a little cold, whereas when I first came in she was joking around and making small talk. The irony was, I didn't even have an elective abortion, I had a D&C because the baby I was carrying stopped developing at 3 weeks but I wasn't miscarrying on my own. I didn't go into detail about it because medically it IS considered an abortion and the procedure is exactly the same as an elective, so I didn't feel the need to go into detail or justify myself to this complete stranger. She may not have intended to react in that way but it was very obvious to ME that she was passing judgement and treating me differently because of her personal views. Anyways, I understand people are passionate on this issue, I just think it's important to keep your emotions in check when you are caring for a patient, because you just never know the full story

Thats really sad for you I am sorry :scrying: Thats exactly why I dont talk about it to others, and my whole reason for this post. I can be a GOOD nurse no matter what the situation, I just don't want my own personal convictions to be a part of my job. I also had a D&C for a blighted ovum, and I cried for days. I just couldnt handle the thought of what I had to do. But it did open my eyes to the fact that there are times when it is absolutely necessary. Like someone else said, its just like religion, lol its probably best not to talk about it :yawn:. I just talked to my sister today about it, and she is in the same program that I am about to start. She said they took an entire day to "debate" the subject and it got heated. I decided right then and there that I will probably just have to bite my tongue the whole time. I really don't even think it should be brought up to debate, as long as we can take GOOD care of the patient, why does anyone need to know how we personally feel about?? Thats just asking for a fight! Im just gonna sit in the back of the class that day and tape my mouth shut lol. The reasons I dont agree with the nonmedical versions, are way different than why other people are against it. I wonder if when we are in class, when the debate starts, surely they dont ASK us if we are for/against it. Oh well, like a PP said, I thought about it yesterday on a convicted murdered, and if he/she came in, could I take care of them knowing the things they had done. My answer to myself was YES absolutely. That's WHY I want to be a nurse, to take CARE of others that cannot take care of themselves, regardless of their situation. Thanks so much for everyone's opinions, I REALLY appreciate, as I am sure a lot of other soon to be students are! It it just one of the many things we are probably "wondering" about while we get ready to start our journey ?

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