Blood transfusions??? just say no...

[macgirl]

I would like to become a nurse, but I don't believe in blood transfusions, getting them or giving them. That said I would never tell anyone not to get one, or say anything against the doctors order, I believe it is a personnal choice but I don't want to have to give them. I'm in nursing school now. Do you or anyone you know have this issue and if so how do they deal with it and what areas or floors can they work on? I know oncology and ortho are poor choices. I was hoping for a job where It wouldn't come up often and if it did I could get the supervisor or another nurse to do that. while I did all other care.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

I seem to remember a recent poster who worked as a coordinator for "bloodless medicine." From her posts, it sounded like she was the go-to expert in her facility on alternatives to blood and blood products for patients who refused them. Interesting opportunity there. Maybe the OP should research it and see if there are opportunities for that in her area.

[LouisVRN, RN]

In addition to what has been previously mentioned I would like to add that while I work Ortho/Med-Surg, hanging blood is a fairly uncommon procedure. I would say I administer blood/blood-products maybe one every 3-4 months. With it being that rare I would have no problems with a colleague wanting to "swap" patients with me or spiking their bag of blood for me. I have had colleagues swap patients with me because I do not want to handle chemo meds while pregnant and because I personally do not like to care for lung cancer pts (my dad died of lung cancer). I guess maybe it depends where you work, but we have good teamwork and I wouldn't see something like that as being a problem.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I seem to remember a recent poster who worked as a coordinator for "bloodless medicine." From her posts, it sounded like she was the go-to expert in her facility on alternatives to blood and blood products for patients who refused them. Interesting opportunity there. Maybe the OP should research it and see if there are opportunities for that in her area.

For the OP, I agree! This would be an excellent opportunity and area for you to investigate. The things you learn should be able to help patients and providers decide on blood product admin limits (if any) and how to best manage patients that choose not to receive blood or limit how much they do receive. You would also be an excellent person to help with patient screening as you're already sensitive to the idea of rejecting the use of blood/blood products.

Another thing to investigate is autologous blood. It's your own blood/tissue, so you're not giving/receiving blood from anyone other than yourself. You may find that this is an excellent thing to suggest for some patients who are doing elective or scheduled procedures that will require blood and are nervous about accepting donated blood...

[glencovediva]

I think you should find another course of study, maybe physical therapy or respiratory therapy,then you would not have conflicts. Blood transfusions are a given in nursing, and you cannot refuse to give blood to patients.

[RNlvn]

I think you all are being to hard on her. What's the difference being a nurse who do not want to spike a bag of blood and press the button vs a pregnant nurse who can not take infectious patients or a immunodeficient nurse? Legally I do not think a employer can deny you a job for this. Before a company hired you they give you a form stating what you can not do just fill out the form. Do not limit yourself just because of this.

[Fribblet]

I think you all are being to hard on her. What's the difference being a nurse who do not want to spike a bag of blood and press the button vs a pregnant nurse who can not take infectious patients or a immunodeficient nurse? Legally I do not think a employer can deny you a job for this. Before a company hired you they give you a form stating what you can not do just fill out the form. Do not limit yourself just because of this.

The pregnant nurse will eventually not be pregnant.

That's the difference.

[talaxandra]

Maybe, but on my ward we make allowances for nurses who've had transplants by not allocating infectious patients to them...

[talaxandra]

Another thing to investigate is autologous blood. It's your own blood/tissue, so you're not giving/receiving blood from anyone other than yourself. You may find that this is an excellent thing to suggest for some patients who are doing elective or scheduled procedures that will require blood and are nervous about accepting donated blood...

This isn't applicable for people who object to transfusions based on religious doctrine (eg Jehovah's Witnesses), but is certainly relevent for people who have other concerns about blood products.

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

my opinion:

1. Respect all religions and systems of belief...

however....

1. Being the nurse who cannot administer blood can be cumbersome to your colleagues.. they may resent you for having them do your work for you.

2. When you work as a nurse, it is usually expected that you will handle all aspects of care, including blood... its kind of an unwritten contract...

3. Regarding the very very tight job market, it may be the excuse needed to fire you..

A previous poster noted some area's of nursing that do not come into contact with blood as frequently as acute care floors. Please look into that as you may be more comfortable practicing in those specialties.

Good luck to you.

[belgarion]

Maybe I missed it but has anyone advised the OP to go to her spiritual leader/advisor and find out exactly what would be acceptable? It is entirely possible that it would be okay for her to administer certain blood products, monitor transfusions, or check the blood with another nurse as long as she does not actually start the transfusion.

[JacobK, ADN, EMT-I]

Maybe, but on my ward we make allowances for nurses who've had transplants by not allocating infectious patients to them...

There is a real scientific/medical reason for a pregnant or transplant recipient nurse not to be around patients with infectious diseases. There isn't a scientific reason for a nurse to not be able to administer blood products.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

This isn't applicable for people who object to transfusions based on religious doctrine (eg Jehovah's Witnesses), but is certainly relevant for people who have other concerns about blood products.

That was actually exactly my point. Attempt to turn a potential problem into a strength, and that was one possible avenue to do so.