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 Psych ICU, addictions.

You don't have to change your own views on abortion, you just can't let your own views affect the care you give the patient. If you honestly feel that you can't do that, then it's your responsibility to opt out and request another assignment if possible. If that's not possible...well, you need to do the best that you can to remain non-judgmental.

Also, if you have certain strong religious/political/ethical convictions or beliefs, it's probably best NOT to work at places you know have convictions or beliefs that are contrary to yours. For example: if you are pro-life, then don't take a job at Planned Parenthood. Because unless you are absolutely sure you can set your convictions aside to give the patient the proper care they have a right to, if you work in a place like that you will just end up in a state of constant mental and emotional turmoil.

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This is my 1st semester in the nursing program so I don't know how things are run but I don't see how this will ever be an issue. Nursing doesn't consist of any debate classes or anything like that so I don't see a reason for the abortion topic to be brought up. I'm also prolife and hope it doesn't get brought up because it is a passionate debate for some and it can turn ugly. I'm dreading certain topics being brought up in class because I'm passionate about certain things but everyone has their own opinions and unfortunately we have to deal with it.

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avidhunter3 said:
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 ?

That is excellent. That is how nurses should be. Be careful to keep that quality with you through school and the rest of your career. A nurse isn't there to make moral decisions for the patient.

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This was never brought up in our class.

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Some people see giving information to patients about getting an abortion of refferals as just as bad. If somebody was against cocaine use (which obviosuly im sure everyone on here is!), would they give them information on the different ways to use the drug for themself? i know tis not quite the same thing but im just using that as an example. If you are against something,, you are not going to help encourage it.

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Specializes in None.

In my program, one of our instructors is prolife 100%!!!!!!!! And she makes her feelings on it known. I mean, I dont necessarily agree with abortion, but I do know in life things happen, so Im more in the middle of the debate

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I think the bottom line definately, is that physicians, nurses, and all staff working in the healthcare field should have the right NOT to be involved with abortion in any way shape or form.

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And yes, i strongly believe that you can not let your personal beliefs interfere with caring for a patient based on things they have done in the past that you may disagree with, and definately cannot treat them disrespectful because of that.

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Specializes in telemetry/med surg.
JayMar23 said:
And yes, i strongly believe that you can not let your personal beliefs interfere with caring for a patient based on things they have done in the past that you may disagree with, and definately cannot treat them disrespectful because of that.

I completely agree with you, the chances are EVERY patient has done something you don't agree with at some point in time, thankfully we aren't there to judge them for anything, just to give them the physical care they need

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

During nursing school, none of the instructors ever asked any of us if we were prochoice or prolife.

Subject never came up.

Pregnancy terminations that are early are usually performed in a clinic or a physician's office...not at the hospital...that is only if they are late term and can be performed for a variety of reasons.

However, as a nurse, you have the right to refuse to participate in a procedure (keyword: PROCEDURE) that goes against your morals or religious beliefs.

However, you do not have the right to refuse to provide pre or post GENERAL nursing care and must do so non-judgementally.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
JayMar23 said:
I think the bottom line definately, is that physicians, nurses, and all staff working in the healthcare field should have the right NOT to be involved with abortion in any way shape or form.

There is more to it than just the procedure, which is why there is the distinction between providing care and participating in a procedure.

Abortion isn't the only controversial issues at hospitals. Some people don't believe in plastic surgery as they feel very passionately that if God gave you a face and body, any alteration to it is an insult to God. Others feel that people who are drug addicted should be allowed to suffer. Or that those that are injured when commiting crimes should be left to suffer.

As healthcare professionals, the list can be endless, that is why unless it is a PROCEDURE, we don't get to pick and choose our patients.

You can ASK a co-worker to switch assignments with you...but they don't and you cannot take care of patients without showing a judgemental attitude (no one said you had to agree with anything..you just can't show it), then certain jobs in nursing, may not be for all people.

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Do nurses have to take care of patients immediately after an abortion?

Do some people really feel that way about cosmetic surgery? I had my nose done two months ago it was the best thing ive ever done.

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