How to get a job working with babies

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hi everyone! I wanted to know if anyone out there could lend me some advice. I start my program this Fall at Gwinnett Tech. I have wanted to play a role with babies (neonatal, newborns, NICU, L&D, etc). I was wondering what steps I should take to getting a position in one of those areas of a facility. I should probably add that I am pro life so I don't want to play a role in elective abortions.

Also, I understand that certain situations can occur during a wanted pregnancy that forces us to make hard decisions. Do we risk the mother's life for the child, or vise versa? Or do we leave it all up to the mother and family? How do we weigh out what to do in such situations? I know there are bound to be some sad cases in my future, especially since this area is full of sad occurrences.

Any testimonials would be appreciated as well on how to cope when you start out. I have a feeling I will have a lot of break downs where I'll wanna cry my eyes out. How do you stay strong for the families? Thanks in advance for all the advice!!! :)

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Agreed! I wouldn't mind working in other areas, but peds shouldn't have too much of this issue would it? I mean, if a young teen ends up pregnant to begin with and chose to terminate, they would then be moved to obgyn right?

Working in Peds is a WHOLE other set of issues; depending on the hospital, they may do electives there as well...my point being, there a whole boatload of ethical dilemmas in nursing, even working in Peds; the MOST important aspect of nursing is advocating WHAT your patient wants, as well as recognizing what's ethically correct, even if it doesn't align with your belief system or moral compass at times.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Agreed! I wouldn't mind working in other areas, but peds shouldn't have too much of this issue would it? I mean, if a young teen ends up pregnant to begin with and chose to terminate, they would then be moved to obgyn right?

I think you are focusing far too much on only one aspect in the enormous span of health care. Each area has its own issues; that doesn't mean a nurse not working in that area will never have to deal with that issue.

I work in an OR; we have a separate facility for OB/GYN surgery. We also do not perform elective abortions. However, that did not mean I can't run into a situation. We had a patient, 12 weeks pregnant (ectopic), come in through the ER. She was not stable enough for transfer to the OB/GYN facility. The pregnancy was not viable, and needed to be terminated to save her life (Hgb was only 6). Yes, the nurses working that night provided the care she needed regardless of their personal views.

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I would have done the same. There are some who are prolife extremists, and can't make sense of something logical. What is the point in doing nothing if it will lead to the death of the mother, which will then more than likely kill both of them? That should be a no-brainer, but again, I am sure there are those extremists out there who cant't tell what is the logical decision. The heart will deceive many, and solely acting on emotions when a choice like that needs to be made, is irresponsible.

I wouldnt mind working in other areas as I was saying, but there are some areas I am sure I wont want to work in because I did a clinical rotation for CNA, and didnt like the environment of that particular area in healthcare. I like children, and even though I am open, I will still wait until that rotation comes my way to determine if I dislike it or not. But I enjoy babies, and I would like for babies to be my patients. Since my goal is babies, I want to know how I can get to that point without it impinging on my morals.

Ectopic pregnancies that aren't viable, are obvious reasons to need termination. Or even placenta abruptions and things of that sort. That situation was life or death and the life of the child was, as you mentioned, not viable. My issue with abortions lie in elective termination of a perfectly mother and child, or if the child just has a disability like down's syndrome or minor health issues where the child can still live a happy life, even if it is not "perfect".

I just enjoy children, sick or healthy. If the parents want to carry out a treatment that I wouldn't choose myself for my child, doesn't mean ill flip out and judge or anything ;)

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Working in Peds is a WHOLE other set of issues; depending on the hospital, they may do electives there as well...my point being, there a whole boatload of ethical dilemmas in nursing, even working in Peds; the MOST important aspect of nursing is advocating WHAT your patient wants, as well as recognizing what's ethically correct, even if it doesn't align with your belief system or moral compass at times.

I think the same could be said the other way around. Pledging to be a good nurse doesn't mean I am selling my soul and burying my conscience so that facilities can make me do things against my beliefs. But that isn't what this topic is about.

I am just asking if there are areas in peds that don't advocate elective abortions, and how to enter into such a job. I know some hospitals do, and some don't. I am just trying to get information based on experience if they know of such places or what systems were in place for fellow nurses who didn't want to participate in them.

If all everyone says are opposing views to my stance on abortion, that isn't helping me find the right fit for me in nursing with children/babies.

I knew I wanted to work with babies once I had mine. I loved the environment and the jobs the nurses around me were carrying out, but didn't know at the time that they can be a part of the abortion process. I thought those things were just at clinics like Planned Parenthood--which I don't know why they aren't solely there. Now that I am becoming more aware of how elective abortions have become integrated into healthcare, the more I am trying to find my place in helping babies get better, while not terminating healthy ones.

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I am sure NICU would be a good fit. NICU nurses nurse premies to health because everyone is fighting for them to survive. How might one go about getting that kind of job? Also, how about practitioners and midwives?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I think the same could be said the other way around. Pledging to be a good nurse doesn't mean I am selling my soul and burying my conscience so that facilities can make me do things against my beliefs. But that isn't what this topic is about.

The beauty of threads is that once you post, one can contribute to it...even if the intent is to help you gain insight; my post is from a POV as a Peds nurse, as well as a healthcare worker who has worked in facilities that perform elective abortions-I recall going to work on Sundays where pro-lifers were picketing on the perimeter of the hospital's campus. I didn't work in that area, but there was still a protest on one aspect of what a hospital with a pretty stellar reputation did.

I am just asking if there are areas in peds that don't advocate elective abortions, and how to enter into such a job. I know some hospitals do, and some don't. I am just trying to get information based on experience if they know of such places or what systems were in place for fellow nurses who didn't want to participate in them.

If all everyone says are opposing views to my stance on abortion, that isn't helping me find the right fit for me in nursing with children/babies.

What you are not realizing from the responses are that are coming from people who have worked in this business is that no one advocates anything... :no: the exception is advocating WHAT the patient wants; they have the right to do whatever they want with their body; they can forgo cancer treatments, forgo life saving surgery, and there are women who make the choice of terminating a pregnancy; these choices are not cavalier in any way, and they an be tough decisions that impact them

FAR more than what WE do; it is NOT our place to insinuate what WE think it's best; they have the right to practice self-determination at all times. That is something you will learn in nursing school.

I knew I wanted to work with babies once I had mine. I loved the environment and the jobs the nurses around me were carrying out, but didn't know at the time that they can be a part of the abortion process. I thought those things were just at clinics like Planned Parenthood--which I don't know why they aren't solely there. Now that I am becoming more aware of how elective abortions have become integrated into healthcare, the more I am trying to find my place in helping babies get better, while not terminating healthy ones.

One thing to realize is that most places have an access to healthcare issue; one can't control where that access will be relegated to :no:, to think so is a little short-sighted.

You may never be involved with an abortion-ever; an elective abortion may be a life saving treatment; you have no idea if it is or not...bear in mind that those terms are used, and you may or may not be in that arena; working with children-from NICU and beyond while working in Peds I can say I have not worked with anyone needing an elective abortion; however, it may happen; I know I'm only in the position to advocate for my patient, that is what matters.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

NeoNatMom, you are still focusing on just a tiny bit of healthcare. Healthcare is not just about abortion. No one "advocates" for abortion. You need to broaden your view and look at other things in a nursing career than just the possibility of being confronted with a situation involving abortion. Also, you are only starting school. You may be surprised by how your views change as you go through your education and find that first job. Honestly, you are putting the cart before the horse (am I showing my age with that phrase?). There are many other things to worry about.

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I remember when I was pregnant with my son. I was mor ethanol halfway done with my pregnancy and told my husband that of we hot pregnant again too soon, I would want to terminate. Once I had him and held him, I felt so guilty for ever considering doing that ever. I guess it just really hits home for me. I just want to save lives. Not hurt them.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I just want to save lives. Not hurt them.

Sometimes, saving a life leads to more hurt. Ask any nurse who has provided futile care. Sometimes, nursing means choosing between a rock and a hard place. And not everyone can be saved.

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Sometimes, saving a life leads to more hurt. Ask any nurse who has provided futile care. Sometimes, nursing means choosing between a rock and a hard place. And not everyone can be saved.

True that. My opinion can often shift. But this is something I've felt so strongly about since I had my son, which means a lot to me.

Question, what other situations can have ethical issues? Like what other scenarios aside from abortions. ...

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Specializes in ER.
I guess what I'm trying to say is I will do my best to care for my patients and not make them feel like I am judging them. But if they do something completely against what I would do morally, I will act accordingly and find a solution. Example being that if a patient of mine chose to terminate for convenience, I'll kindly ask to be taken off of that case, and not share my opinion to the patient. Can I ask though, what other bad situations are going to arise that will make me feel like I'm doing g something wrong?

It's a fine line and it also depends on your employer's preferences. Catholic Hospital may be the way to go because they do not let you provide any information for abortion services which is messed up in my opinion. Even the STD discharge information was borderline inappropriate in my book. No one used that particular flyer though that I know of.

If a coworker asked me to completely take over because a woman was choosing to have an elective abortion, I may be annoyed if it meant I had to give up a patient I had already assessed and knew. Also, the patient's preferences and beliefs should come first. It would kind of be like someone asking to switch because the patient is a lesbian or black and they are uncomfortable with lesbians or other races.

The best way to approach a situation is that the patient should make his or her own decisions. If a patient chooses to become a DNR and does not want treatment, then that is within their right. If the patient chooses to go outside and smoke, then they need to sign the form and understand the risks.

One thing you may look for is a hospital that has a separate postpartum wing although I think they are becoming less and less common. I don't know where they stick the women who are pregnant and having complications in hospitals with split departments though.

Also, working with babies isn't necessarily going to be a picnic. Imagine seeing a baby experience withdrawal and knowing that due to a lawyer and money that the baby will be going home with mom. That's a story I heard from my instructor.

My clinical instructor was a NICU NP. She brought up a lot of ethical questions such as having to talk to parents who do not understand that their baby that is eating and has a sucking reflex cannot live or that the odds of the baby living past the first few years is slim to none even with the heart surgery or transplant (I forget which) and the mom insisting that the reason why the baby didn't live was because the doctors didn't treat the conditions aggressively enough.

What you are not realizing from the responses are that are coming from people who have worked in this business is that no one advocates anything... :no: the exception is advocating WHAT the patient wants; they have the right to do whatever they want with their body; they can forgo cancer treatments, forgo life saving surgery, and there are women who make the choice of terminating a pregnancy; these choices are not cavalier in any way, and they an be tough decisions that impact them

FAR more than what WE do; it is NOT our place to insinuate what WE think it's best; they have the right to practice self-determination at all times. That is something you will learn in nursing school.

This is very true.

Postpartum may be the place to look.

Even so, I will be honest and say that no area is really cut and dry. You will see things that you do not agree with in all areas. Abuse is something you will see in all areas. I remember the first time I saw child abuse. I hadn't seen it out in the field at the time and I saw it in the ER. It was the "hives" example. I remember studying the pattern and thinking "that's not hives." I took vital signs and then took them back to the room that was close to the station. I alerted the charge nurse who was a SANE nurse and informed her of what I thought. She went in there to assess the patient also.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Question, what other situations can have ethical issues? Like what other scenarios aside from abortions. ...

Too many to list. Here's some threads to look at:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/ethical-dilemmas-encountered-472258.html

https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/examples-ethical-dilemmas-910911.html

https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/ethical-dilemmas-nurses-789869.html

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/what-top-5-a-403220.html

And a final one specific to L&D:

https://allnurses.com/ob-gyn-nursing/ethical-dilemmas-l-442837.html

If you want more, just search for ethical dilemma in the search bar- there were many more in the list.

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