Controversial Job Offer

[Mommyof2RN]

I have been offered an interview in an abortion clinic. I do not personally believe in abortion but do not judge others who do. I do not know all of the details of the job description but depending on what they are I think I could do fine in the job. Will future employers look down on this?

[labcat01, BSN, RN]

I didn't make myself clear - sorry. I don't think it will effect future employment at all.

No, if I was the employer at the abortion clinic and I interviewed someone who said she didn't believe in abortion . .. .that could be scary. Why would a person who doesn't believe that abortion is right want to work in an abortion clinic? To proselytize?

I work in Hospice right now. What if someone came in to interview and told me she didn't believe that Hospice was the right way to go at the end of life? Why interview with me?

Or if I was the manager of an NICU and someone interviewed with me who said she didn't think we should try to save babies under 34 weeks?

It just seems that if you don't believe in what you are doing, you shouldn't be doing it.

steph

Ahhh....that makes perfect sense. Good point too!

[Noryn]

I think it very well could affect future employment. It really doesnt matter if it is "right" or "wrong" but realistically the abortion issue is very divisive and people have strong feelings. You will have some people that will "judge" you including fellow nurses/nurse managers. It could go both ways, some could look at you as a patient advocate who is courageous, other people will have much harsher opinions.

Your location may also be more of an issue. In a larger city there may be more acceptance than a smaller town in a different part of the country. Again it is about dealing with the realities of the situation.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

Thanks, stevie! I was v.v. confuzzled!

[Mommyof2RN]

I guess I didn't say the right thing. I myself would never have an abortion but I sympathize with those who feel they have to...

I never applied for the job, I posted my resume on a website and was contacted....but I'm still not sure its what I want to do. Especially not with all of the talk of how dangerous it is. I really appreciate your help!

[SillyStudent, ASN, RN]

Ditto! I don't think it would effect your future employment either.

As for working there, only YOU know your own morals and convictions. Good luck!

I am not sure it is an issue of morals and convictions. It's simply a job. The nurse did not personally make the decision for the woman he/she is caring for. All that is required is the nurse's normal nonjudgemental attitude and professionalism.

Having said that, I realize that kind of job would not be for everyone. But neither is ICU, Hospice, Med/Surg, etc....

[aeauooo]

I am not sure it is an issue of morals and convictions. It's simply a job.

FWIW, I respectfully disagree.

[SillyStudent, ASN, RN]

The best part about the forums is that we politely disagree with each other. It stimulates dialogue. :)

I take care of people every day that do things I don't agree with. For example, those that drink, drug and eat themselves to death. They ruin their lives and their families lives. All I can do is provide great, non-judgemental care. I see no difference.

[birdgardner]

The difference being, that some see working at an abortion clinic as more akin to assisting patients in drinking, drugging, eating themselves to death than to taking care of them after they have done so.

I've taken care of patients who had abortions in their past, multiple or late abortions, with no problem, no coldness or disapproval but there is no way I could support them in that choice.

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

If you do not personally believe in abortion as a choice for yourself, I am not sure you would "fit in" at an abortion clinic. Go there. Sit in the waiting room. Listen to what they say to the patients. See just what your duties would be. See if you can go and get a "feel" for the place.

You might decide you cannot work there.

On the other hand, you might be okay with it.

If you personally have moral or ethical problems with abortion, I doubt you would feel comfortable in this position. I think you should

A. think deeply about your personal convictions and

B. like I said, go and get a "feel" for the place before you decide.

[SillyStudent, ASN, RN]

I've taken care of patients who had abortions in their past, multiple or late abortions, with no problem, no coldness or disapproval but there is no way I could support them in that choice.

I think you made my point, from an entirely different direction. Just as I do not have to 'support' an individual's choice to drink or drug themselves to death to be able to provide care, I do not have to support someone's decision to terminate a pregnancy to provide decent care. I just have to provide decent care, period, without allowing my own feelings to color how I treat the patient. I see that you agree with that sentiment.

Providing care to a woman who has had, or is having an abortion is not the same as dashing a baby's head against the stones. (oh my, I am getting biblical!) I personally do not work in an abortion clinic, and I don't necessarily have any interest in doing so.

The difference being, that some see working at an abortion clinic as more akin to assisting patients in drinking, drugging, eating themselves to death than to taking care of them after they have done so

As I said earlier, I am quite sure that a job in an abortion clinic is not for everyone. Not everyone wants to work peds, hospice, or home health for their own reasons as well. Everyone has a right to see the issue the way their heart directs them. I just hope we are all united in the goal to provide good care despite how we feel about a patient's life choices.

I promised myself that I would never get into an abortion thread on this board again. I think I had better stop.