help advice needed about blood issue

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I'm a Jehovahs witness and would feel very uncomfortable giving blood due to my religiuos beliefs. I know what many witness nurses do (ie. asking other nurses to hng, skike, press pump ect for them). I'm wondering if it is legal for my manager to make me do it. When I told her about how I would prefer not to do it do to my conscience she was not happy and felt she could not deal with that. I'm wondering if I had a any legal rights to refuse to do it or if it was up to other nurses to help me. As far as I know its a conscience issue as to whether or not to administer it. Becuase of this I told her I would do it if for some reason, and in an emergency the transfusion was ordered and no one but me was able to do it. I really hope that I did not put myself into a bad situation or corner myself with something I may later regret. Any advice form a witness or a non witness familair with my legal rights (and wehre to find them) would be very appreciated! Thank you!

Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

I don't give blood either, not based on religion...but history of anemia. I am far better to my patients if I actually have the energy to be a nurse..LOL!

Now, I agree that nursing is a caring profession...and employers can not really ask you to do something against religious beliefs, it isn't suppose to come into the picture. Giving blood is a personal choice, you chose no...doesn't matter your reason...you said no! That is part of your body...and if you choose to keep it, that is your choice period! It is a personal choice...that means yes or no answer related to your thoughts, rights and ideas as a person.

Now, what would be wrong is not aiding a patient because of those beliefs. Not helping them to give blood, encouraging them not to, encouraging not taking medications, or things like that based on personal religious beliefs. And I haven't met anyone from any religion that has done this...it goes against the grain of nursing period. But to chastise you over your own beliefs about you donating blood...I find it rude, insensitive, and yes...can be considered harassment in some states (but hard to prove).

Ask your religious representitives about their issues with this...I am sure you are not the only one who has had this probelm..and this isn't limited to nursing either. Other companies also encourage blood donations... Maybe that will help shed some light for you on how to deal with the issue, and what recourse you can take if you so choose to.

Good luck :)

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I don't give blood either, not based on religion...but history of anemia. I am far better to my patients if I actually have the energy to be a nurse..LOL!

Now, I agree that nursing is a caring profession...and employers can not really ask you to do something against religious beliefs, it isn't suppose to come into the picture. Giving blood is a personal choice, you chose no...doesn't matter your reason...you said no! That is part of your body...and if you choose to keep it, that is your choice period! It is a personal choice...that means yes or no answer related to your thoughts, rights and ideas as a person.

Now, what would be wrong is not aiding a patient because of those beliefs. Not helping them to give blood, encouraging them not to, encouraging not taking medications, or things like that based on personal religious beliefs. And I haven't met anyone from any religion that has done this...it goes against the grain of nursing period. But to chastise you over your own beliefs about you donating blood...I find it rude, insensitive, and yes...can be considered harassment in some states (but hard to prove).

Ask your religious representitives about their issues with this...I am sure you are not the only one who has had this probelm..and this isn't limited to nursing either. Other companies also encourage blood donations... Maybe that will help shed some light for you on how to deal with the issue, and what recourse you can take if you so choose to.

Good luck :)

I think the original poster's concern was about administering blood donated by a third party to her patient.

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:yeahthat:

I work with a JW nurse and the charge nurses simply don't assign her patients who will be recieving blood, or if it occurs then we hang the blood for her. It's called "respect" and "teamwork". Perhaps a concept your manager isn't aware of.

Sorry, I can't help with the legalities of it.

Well said, Tweety! When it comes to work, it seems like people just don't remember what respect and teamwork mean anymore.

Hearing this makes my heart happy! :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I'm on the fence with this one. While on the surface it should be a no brainer (let someone else do it for you), that may turn into an issue down the road. (I hope you don't work on a post-op or oncology unit!!) As is currently the case on my unit with a pregnant nurse who 'can't' take pts getting chemo, or with any infections, we're running out of pts. to give her!! It is a courtesy, and for the most part, I hoipe you will find courteous nurse that don't mind helping you out. But it is likely you will come across a nurse (or two) who wan't be so willing to help you out. Let's be honest: we're talking about a major nursing responsibility. It's not like you're asking someone to pass a non-kosher tray out (because you are kosher). Blood is something that is a big deal as far as liability and complications.

I've done a lot of things as a nurse that I would never consider having done to myself (or putting a family member through). But I need to respect the wishes of those who are consenting to the treatment (the pt. or the parent, which is usually the case for my pts.).

Do I agree with coding an already neurologically devastated child? No. Do I agree with some of the pts. we transplant (not all, but some are so far gone)? No. And all the experimental treatments I've seen. But the thought has never crossed my mind to say no, I don't agree with this, so I am not doing it.

BTW, I worked on a bone marrow unit where a JW nurse worked. As far as I know, her assignment was not conditional. I meant the whole BMT thing had to be against her beliefs, but maybe she felt as the others suggested (she was not doing it to herself).

As long as something is not outright dangerous, and the pt/family is informed of the consequences of their actions, I'll just do my job. :twocents:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.
I don't give blood either, not based on religion...but history of anemia. I am far better to my patients if I actually have the energy to be a nurse..LOL!

Now, I agree that nursing is a caring profession...and employers can not really ask you to do something against religious beliefs, it isn't suppose to come into the picture. Giving blood is a personal choice, you chose no...doesn't matter your reason...you said no! That is part of your body...and if you choose to keep it, that is your choice period! It is a personal choice...that means yes or no answer related to your thoughts, rights and ideas as a person.

Now, what would be wrong is not aiding a patient because of those beliefs. Not helping them to give blood, encouraging them not to, encouraging not taking medications, or things like that based on personal religious beliefs. And I haven't met anyone from any religion that has done this...it goes against the grain of nursing period. But to chastise you over your own beliefs about you donating blood...I find it rude, insensitive, and yes...can be considered harassment in some states (but hard to prove).

Ask your religious representitives about their issues with this...I am sure you are not the only one who has had this probelm..and this isn't limited to nursing either. Other companies also encourage blood donations... Maybe that will help shed some light for you on how to deal with the issue, and what recourse you can take if you so choose to.

Good luck :)

I think when she says "giving" blood she means adminstering it. Not blood donation. This is because she can't receive blood herself... it's against her religion to receive blood or blood products.

Heck, I can't donate either. My own veins suck.

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We talked about this in one of my classes. We had two students who were very much against abortions and said they would refuse to care for someone with complications from this. Our director contacted the board of nursing and they said refusing to care for a patient or not giving the ordered treatment (as long as it does not put the patient in danger) is a way to lose your license. They also said that you can have crimminal charges filed against you, and open yourself up to lawsuits galore. I would try to help a fellow nurse that was uncomfortable with treatment or order because of religious or moral beliefs, but many times TIME would be a big factor. Maybe as other posters said you should try to work in an area where this is a very rare occurance for you to encounter. I don't agree with your beliefs but I would never say that they were wrong. Hope I at least gave you some food for thought

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I am not a nurse but a witness myself, and if I were you all I would talk to the elders in your congregation they can help you better than anyone here.

also I don't smoke, but if I worked in a store I would have to sell them to others if I didn't own the store. this principle may work here, I don't know.

when I took care of my sister who smoke she couldn't hold cigerattes anymore due to MS. I refused to hold or light them for her. was I wrong? don't know., all I know I didnt' want to contribute to her health problems since the doctor said to quit as it worsens her ms. but if the doctor had ordered it for her health (just a pretend situation) just like medications I would probably have done it.

even if I disagreed with it.

RR

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I am not sure where you stand legally, but do you have a union and a contract that might address some of these issues? Was any kind of arrangement made when you were hired that you can revisit?

I say this next sentence very gingerly because I do not want to offend, but did you not that at any point in your education that you might be required to hang blood or to do other things that would go against your religion? Did you consider a plan at that point of what actions you would take when confronted with certain situations?

Another point to consider, if this patient who is to receive the blood has received informed consent and wants the transfusion, how can you refuse to administer the product to them based on your personal feelings? Its one thing for a nurse to refuse to administer any treatment if the pt doesn't have a clue, but quite another because the nurse doesn't want to do it.

I do respect your right to a religion of your chosing, but as far as work is concerned, I think the sooner you have a few solid answers the better it will be for you and for your patients.

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