do you HAVE to assist with circs?

SwampCat, BSN · Jan 15, 2008

Hey all! I never really thought about this, but do you HAVE to be at the circs when you work in LDRP? Not to start a debate or anything, but I do not agree with it and I KNOW viewing it will absolutely make me sick (I nearly puked when they showed it during birthing class and spent the entire movie in the bathroom) and just the thought of it makes me cringe. When (and if) I become a nurse in this field, would I be looked down upon if I asked to not be involved in that whole procedure? Do you work with (or are you) in the same boat?

Any insight/comments?

ETA - sorry I just realized there's a whole thread about this from 2006, but if you want to reply I'm still interested in reading it!

RNmama05 · Jan 15, 2008

The way I look at it, I'm at work to care for patients who will be receiving procedures whether or not I recommend them, advise them, think they're a good idea, etc. If I refused to take assignments based on my beliefs, I wouldn't do epidurals, most csections, push narcotics, do continuous EFM, run pitocin, etc.

My job is to take care of the patient. I don't believe in circumcision either (and I'm not interested in debating), but the way to stop them is not to refuse to take assignments which will generally annoy my coworkers and not make a bit of difference. IMO (because you asked), that would be a bit of ineffective self-indulgence, and if you were my coworker, I'd be asking what else you are doing to decrease the circumcision rate.

Furthermore, if a circumcision is the most revolting thing you see at work, count yourself lucky!

Hey all! I never really thought about this, but do you HAVE to be at the circs when you work in LDRP? Not to start a debate or anything, but I do not agree with it and I KNOW viewing it will absolutely make me sick (I nearly puked when they showed it during birthing class and spent the entire movie in the bathroom) and just the thought of it makes me cringe. When (and if) I become a nurse in this field, would I be looked down upon if I asked to not be involved in that whole procedure? Do you work with (or are you) in the same boat?
Any insight/comments?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 15, 2008

Like threads merged.

SwampCat, BSN · Jan 15, 2008

RNmommoa05 - Okay, if a 10 yr old came in with his mom and he was incapable of making a decision and the mom said "cicrumcise him because he looks funny" and the doctor was going to go ahead and do the procedure, you still would help? I'm not trying to debate, I just don't understand how you could be a patient advocate taking that stance.

Has anyone heard of a nurse or nurses setting up an in-service to teach their coworkers about the function of the foreskin and the damage done (both immediate and possibly long term) of circumcision? Do you think that would fly?

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jan 15, 2008

Has anyone heard of a nurse or nurses setting up an in-service to teach their coworkers about the function of the foreskin and the damage done (both immediate and possibly long term) of circumcision? Do you think that would fly?

I'm actually considering such a project myself. I'm still formulating exactly how to do it - it's a sensitive topic but one that needs talking about.

RNmama05 · Jan 16, 2008

RNmommoa05 - Okay, if a 10 yr old came in with his mom and he was incapable of making a decision and the mom said "cicrumcise him because he looks funny" and the doctor was going to go ahead and do the procedure, you still would help? I'm not trying to debate, I just don't understand how you could be a patient advocate taking that stance.

Suppose she had converted to Judaism and wanted her child circumcised? How am I to know the circumstances leading to her decision, which she is entitled to make for her child. If the child was insistent that he did not want a circumcision, I would probably get social work involved.

okchug · Jan 16, 2008

That's not fair, a 10 year old cannot be compared with a newborn. the only nurse to be assisting in the circ of a 10yo would be an OR nurse. It would be a surgery under general anesthesia-not a procedure carried out with lido in the office.

BTW my son is INTACT and I am against circs altogether. I have learned alot about the natural retraction, growth, etc. and I believe there is a real need for education both prior to birth and after regarding the foreskin. No Dr. ever offered any info on the subject. they just handed us a consent form.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jan 16, 2008

I believe there is a real need for education both prior to birth and after regarding the foreskin. No Dr. ever offered any info on the subject. they just handed us a consent form.

Yes, yes, yes.

In my facility, parents tell me the docs never talked to them fully regarding all that stuff. The docs tell me the parents wanted the circ, so they figured they knew what they were talking about. Riiiight. :confused:

Personally? I hate circs, and don't assist with them. I'm around if something goes wrong, but usually it's the tech that sets up & assists with them. The docs and my supervisor know how I feel & it's not been a problem so far.

My ds is intact & foreskin went back on its own around 10mo.

SwampCat, BSN · Jan 16, 2008

okchug - I was just using that as an example....whether its a mom a a newborn or a mom of whatever age and SHE made the decision, isn't it cosmetic surgery on an unconsenting minor? Like I said in my original post, I'm not here to debate it, I was just trying to better understand the pp's "patient advocacy".

Arwen_U- I would love to hear how you are going about formulating the in-service. Do you have any colleagues helping with it or are you doing it all on your own?

Hopefully when the time comes for me to get a job, they'll understand that I will not assist. If not, then thats obviously not the place I'm suppose to be working at.

And then on the other hand I wonder if L&D is not really for me after all, since I have very strong feelings about certain things and I'm afraid I'll have a hard time staying "impartial" or whatever when it comes time.

okchug · Jan 16, 2008

Swampcat- I understand...I just think that for some people, their opposition stems from the pain inflicted on the child as well as the removal of healthy tissue. So the instance of an older child would be a different situation and concern. :specs:

It is very interesting that you bring up the issue. There are quite a few stories in the news about parents fighting over circ for their older sons. In one case the mom wants it done but the father doesn't. The judge sided with the father and the boy remains intact. I believe he's 12yo.

I know it's a huge debate. Here in OKla almost all boys are done. Most parents don't think they have a choice, or still believe the old myths. I try to educate friends, family, coworkers any chance I can. I don't preach- just inform. I would also be interested in how to do this once in the workplace.