Catholic Nurse Sues Duke University Hospital After Refusing to Assist with Abortions

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A Catholic nurse sued Duke University Hospital in Durham, N.C., alleging it discriminated against her religious beliefs by failing to accommodate her objections to abortion, birth control and giving vaccinations.

Sara Pedro, a Catholic nurse, moved from New York City in August 2016 to take a job at Duke University Hospital. Soon after she began work at Duke, Sara asked for and got an exemption from receiving hospital required vaccines. She also told hospital administration that she was "unable" to assist with abortions as well as administering contraceptives and "any vaccines" based on rulings by the Catholic Church.

In December 2016, Sara was placed on unpaid leave. She has moved back to New York City and claims she has been unable to return to work as she is suffering from post-traumatic stress.

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The lawsuit contends Duke violated the religious-discrimination section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by failing to give Pedro a "reasonable accommodation" for her beliefs.

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Catholic nurse sues Duke University Hospital after refusing to assist with abortions, contraception

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Here's the actual court document:

https://www.thomasmore.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/FILED-Complaint_Pedro-v.-Duke-University-et-al..pdf

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Just a quick segue, I worked for a catholic hospital chain a few years ago and they did not do abortions but did provide vaccs, and there was the occasional nurse nun, but these hospitals were owned by the diocese. So... I guess my question is, nuns can work on their own at non-diocese owned hospitals? Stupid question I guess, but being raised catholic I've never seen a nun who worked outside of her order or diocese.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
jodispamodi said:
Just a quick segue, I worked for a catholic hospital chain a few years ago and they did not do abortions but did provide vaccs, and there was the occasional nurse nun, but these hospitals were owned by the diocese. So... I guess my question is, nuns can work on their own at non-diocese owned hospitals? Stupid question I guess, but being raised catholic I've never seen a nun who worked outside of her order or diocese.

I'm not sure what you're asking. The woman who filed suit is not a nun.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

This actually makes me very angry. It's despicable.

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jodispamodi said:
Just a quick segue, I worked for a catholic hospital chain a few years ago and they did not do abortions but did provide vaccs, and there was the occasional nurse nun, but these hospitals were owned by the diocese. So... I guess my question is, nuns can work on their own at non-diocese owned hospitals? Stupid question I guess, but being raised catholic I've never seen a nun who worked outside of her order or diocese.

I'm not Catholic, but I've encountered nuns working in a variety of settings outside of Catholic settings or their own orders over the years. There were a pair of nuns who worked as the freshman dorm housemothers at the secular college I attended many years ago, and there was a nun who recently retired from the pastoral care service of the secular hospital in which I'm currently employed. I'm sure that, if I thought about it longer, I could come up with some other examples.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
klone said:

"145. In fact, on more than one occasion, Ms. Pedro distinguished herself in the course of her work, often preventing acts of malpractice or other violations of law by Defendant Duke. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: a. While Ms. Pedro was assisting an HIV-positive patient, the patient vomited large amounts of blood onto Ms. Pedro, leaving her shoes and clothes saturated with blood. Throughout the situation, though, Ms. Pedro remained calm and continued to ensure the patient received proper care. Afterwards, Ms. Pedro had to discard her scrubs and shoes and receive an HIV test due to the fact that she had been exposed to this virus." I didn't realize this qualified as going above and beyond.

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I wouldn't be surprised if she got cut for being useless on the floor or absenteeism. All unrelated to vaccines/contraception, but she's looking for a payday.

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******* her might be against the religion and a little cruel too!

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Julius Seizure said:
"145. In fact, on more than one occasion, Ms. Pedro distinguished

herself in the course of her work, often preventing acts of malpractice or other

violations of law by Defendant Duke. Examples include, but are not limited

to, the following:

a. While Ms. Pedro was assisting an HIV-positive patient, the

patient vomited large amounts of blood onto Ms. Pedro, leaving

her shoes and clothes saturated with blood. Throughout the

situation, though, Ms. Pedro remained calm and continued to

ensure the patient received proper care. Afterwards, Ms. Pedro

had to discard her scrubs and shoes and receive an HIV test due

to the fact that she had been exposed to this virus."

I didn't realize this qualified as going above and beyond.

She's a frickin' HERO!! G-d bless her, she's like Florence reincarnated.

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...And health care should not be a right. #sarcasm

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

It is illegal for a hospital to force an employee to participate in abortion.

My state nurses association recommends writing a letter to management informing them of your conscience restrictions so they can plan to staff a willing nurse.

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42 U.S.C.

United States Code, 2011 Edition

Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

CHAPTER 6A - PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

SUBCHAPTER VIII - POPULATION RESEARCH AND VOLUNTARY FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS

§300a–7. Sterilization or abortion

... (d) Individual rights respecting certain requirements contrary to religious beliefs or moral convictions

No individual shall be required to perform or assist in the performance of any part of a health service program or research activity funded in whole or in part under a program administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services if his performance or assistance in the performance of such part of such program or activity would be contrary to his religious beliefs or moral convictions...

U.S.C. Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

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MunoRN said:
As far as I can tell, Duke University Hospital does provide elective abortion services, so her claim that her opposition to abortion led to discrimination is a stretch.

As for the immunizations, there is no religious basis for refusing any and all vaccinations, much less administering them. Her intent to apply her religious/faux religious beliefs to her patients and the treatments they can receive is not religious discrimination, it is however grounds for her to lose her license.

Why would she lose her license? She isn't telling patients what they can or can't receive, she is objecting to be the nurse giving certain kinds of care.

She should have made her objections and limitations known before hiring on.

I don't think employers are allowed questions about religious beliefs when interviewing potential hires, are they? Therefore, she should have made her situation before hiring on.

What a load of crap that she is so stressed that she can no longer work.

What vaccines were/are developed in fetal tissue?

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