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 Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
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.
I've never worked anywhere that advocates for elective abortions. I've worked for a few that do the procedure, but allow nurses who object to opt out of participating.
I've worked in lots of peds environments and possibly since our patients are already born, never once had the topic of abortion come up other than theoretically in the area of genetic counseling.
Leaving aside the question of job availability in specialties like NICU and peds, combined with a choice not to work for facilities that perform elective abortions, it shouldn't be too difficult to research individual healthcare systems to find out what their policies are before you start a nursing program.
You may want to research non-nursing jobs working with babies if working with babies is your number one career goal, and the highly competitive nature of those nursing specialties is a factor for you.
"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. "
That is definitely a radical comparison to me. Especially the one regarding race, since race isn't ever a part of one's decision vs aborting a child for convenience (technically not healthcare because we are not treating them for illness. I am in an interracial relationship, so yeah, I'd say discriminating against caring for different ethnicities is dumb beyond all else. Further, if a woman came in needing treament or even a follow up from an abortion, regardless of the reason I would treat her just as anyone else. The dead was done, and neglecting to care for the health of someone after the fact is not ethical. Same for a rapist who gets stabbed in prison. Regardless of what one person might have done, if they need treatment, then that is what I will give them. Saying I won't help a woman who is completely healthy as far as pregnancy is concerned abort a fetus, that is not treating an illness. If gay patients need treatment, then regardless of sexual preference, they deserve treatment for their illness. Same with skin color. Killing a living organism is completely different than racism, except that they are both wrong lol.
"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. "
I never assumed it was unicorns and rainbows. The point in nursing is those little moments when your patient says, "thanks for being my rock", that make all the pain worth it. It does suck that bad things will happen to children with addicted parents, my mother is an example, so I realized this really young.
Nursel56--
"You may want to research non-nursing jobs working with babies if working with babies is your number one career goal, and the highly competitive nature of those nursing specialties is a factor for you."
This is where I try not to get rubbed wrong because I know your intentions are well; though I did say my goal was to work with babies/children, I also put that in the context regarding nursing. Saying someone can't make it in any field related to babies because ethical issues will arise everywhere when the law protects pro-life nurses from having to be a part of an unnecessary abortion, doesn't say much other than that no one who is prolife can be a nurse because they can't handle the heat in the kitchen....That's how it sounds anyways. Not just from you, if that was even what you are saying, but many others on here. No one poster has given me options other than that the Catholic Hospitals might be a good option. I couldn't manage working in one that the poster above described because they are controlling freedom of speech and expression by not allowing people to get information about protection. Protection will avoid many, many STDs, as well as elective abortions. It is naive IMO. If that is not what you were inferring, then nvm :)
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Nursel56--
"You may want to research non-nursing jobs working with babies if working with babies is your number one career goal, and the highly competitive nature of those nursing specialties is a factor for you."
This is where I try not to get rubbed wrong because I know your intentions are well; though I did say my goal was to work with babies/children, I also put that in the context regarding nursing. Saying someone can't make it in any field related to babies because ethical issues will arise everywhere when the law protects pro-life nurses from having to be a part of an unnecessary abortion, doesn't say much other than that no one who is prolife can be a nurse because they can't handle the heat in the kitchen....That's how it sounds anyways. Not just from you, if that was even what you are saying, but many others on here. No one poster has given me options other than that the Catholic Hospitals might be a good option.
No, I wasn't saying you can't make it in any field related to babies because of your pro-life stance, so I'm glad you indicated that maybe that wasn't what I meant. What I meant was something like being a child-life specialist or maybe in a field that deals with chronically ill and/or developmentally-delayed children. It used to be that there were large facilities for long-term care of children with ongoing needs for OT, PT, etc. Now many of the kids are cared for at home with skilled nursing so maybe you could look into private-duty nursing. My own opinion is that this field will continue to grow in the coming years.
There are pediatricians (including my own kid's doctor) and family practice docs and NPs whose practice is based in their religious views so working in an office like that or a clinic is another option.
If you don't want to work in a Catholic System it will just be more difficult to find the right niche. I just checked and it turns out that Adventist hospitals haven't had a strict policy on elective abortions, either. What I meant about researching was that you may find systems other than the Catholic hospitals with a strong pro-life ethic. Religion and healthcare delivery have a long, historical connection so that will work in your favor. I'm sure I'm not alone in that most of us have worked with nurses who are pro-life, so I don't think you will find hostility based on that alone.
No, I wasn't saying you can't make it in any field related to babies because of your pro-life stance, so I'm glad you indicated that maybe that wasn't what I meant. What I meant was something like being a child-life specialist or maybe in a field that deals with chronically ill and/or developmentally-delayed children. It used to be that there were large facilities for long-term care of children with ongoing needs for OT, PT, etc. Now many of the kids are cared for at home with skilled nursing so maybe you could look into private-duty nursing. My own opinion is that this field will continue to grow in the coming years.
There are pediatricians (including my own kid's doctor) and family practice docs and NPs whose practice is based in their religious views so working in an office like that or a clinic is another option.
If you don't want to work in a Catholic System it will just be more difficult to find the right niche. I just checked and it turns out that Adventist hospitals haven't had a strict policy on elective abortions, either. What I meant about researching was that you may find systems other than the Catholic hospitals with a strong pro-life ethic. Religion and healthcare delivery have a long, historical connection so that will work in your favor. I'm sure I'm not alone in that most of us have worked with nurses who are pro-life, so I don't think you will find hostility based on that alone.
Thanks for this reply. This is the most informative and helpful one yet. Alos, youare being positive, which is what I need on here :) so thank you! I was SDA but am trying to just be a Child of God, and not a believer who follows writings of one person (Ellen G White-Prophet of SDA church) and acting like obeying a bunch of rules is what it takes to be a Christian. But anyways, that's straying away from the topic, sorry lol. I was very upset when I found my then "denom" were carrying out those procedures. Many have just recently done this to get more funding because if they didn't, they would not qualify as a "full-service" facility. Just shows how Christians can be bought. I thank you for your advice!!! I can't wait to find my place in this field; an adventure of self-discovery I think :)
I view it as just as bad. I don't agree with the choices many of my patients make or their attitudes or beliefs but that does not mean that I am going to put my own views first. Would it make you feel better if I said that I view it the same as a nurse objecting to take care of a Jehovah Witness because they refused blood products and that meant that the patient will die and that goes against the nurses' beliefs? Or a nurse who refused to take care of a patient who was brought in on a heroin overdose and the nurse objected to the usage of drugs so she didn't want to take care of them? Or what about a suicidal patient who attempted to commit suicide and the nurse feels very strongly that suicide is a sin and that the person will go to hell for committing suicide?
Nursing involves a certain degree of separating yourself from your own beliefs and practices to a degree. If you found out your patient was formerly a child molester or that they killed someone, you would still have to provide care to that patient. There are pregnant convicts that come into hospitals seeking treatment.
Realistically you will probably never be faced with the situation. However, you should familiarize yourself with the rules of your state in case you are put into that situation. I am very much for patients being educated about their rights so they can make an informed decision.
It's important to think about the situation now before you find yourself in the situation. The situations are never black and white.
I never assumed it was unicorns and rainbows. The point in nursing is those little moments when your patient says, "thanks for being my rock", that make all the pain worth it. It does suck that bad things will happen to children with addicted parents, my mother is an example, so I realized this really young.
A lot of abuse doesn't come from addicted parents. I think those moments are over dramatized in movies and TV. A lot of patients do not say thank you to most nurses. My patients liked me but a lot of times they just don't get a chance to say thank you.
This is where I try not to get rubbed wrong because I know your intentions are well; though I did say my goal was to work with babies/children, I also put that in the context regarding nursing. Saying someone can't make it in any field related to babies because ethical issues will arise everywhere when the law protects pro-life nurses from having to be a part of an unnecessary abortion, doesn't say much other than that no one who is prolife can be a nurse because they can't handle the heat in the kitchen....That's how it sounds anyways. Not just from you, if that was even what you are saying, but many others on here. No one poster has given me options other than that the Catholic Hospitals might be a good option. I couldn't manage working in one that the poster above described because they are controlling freedom of speech and expression by not allowing people to get information about protection. Protection will avoid many, many STDs, as well as elective abortions. It is naive IMO. If that is not what you were inferring, then nvm
Actually I don't think that she meant that in regards to ethical means. The field itself is very competitive and most nurses are not getting hired into hospitals at all. Many new grads end up working in LTC and are lucky if they get a hospital position. Only a handful of my classmates found jobs in the hospital. Many are working in other nursing fields like there's a few in occupational health, more in the nursing homes, several in home health, and even more in the prison system. Being specific on wanting to work with babies and children limits you even more.
If you are more open to other areas, your odds of getting a job increases. I'd initially aim for med-surg for two years and then aim for an OB spot. If you read the forums, you'll notice that a lot of new grads are struggling to find jobs anywhere let alone their dream field.
Another posted that you should consider home health and that's actually a good idea. There are many kids who are developmentally disabled and require intensive care at home so a home health nurse will visit. Sometimes a home health nurse may assist initially while the parents are still learning techniques.
What about school nursing? That would involve working with children and not necessarily babies though.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
As an OB nurse, I've assisted in MANY routine infant circumcisions, even though I am personally morally very opposed to them. You know why? Because it's not about me.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
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.
And sometimes, an elective abortion is the very very best thing for that mother and that family.
As an OB nurse, I've assisted in MANY routine infant circumcisions, even though I am personally morally very opposed to them. You know why? Because it's not about me.
Idk why many on here are comparing things that are on vastly different substrates of immorality. Someone already tried to compare Race discrimination vs refusing to help perform convenient abortions or refusing to treat gay patients verses a girl coming in for an abortion and these are completely illogical scenarios to compare. And now, you are comparing the situation of abortions to a circumcision? You have to use things of equal measure if you are going to try to justify ignoring a conscious telling you that you are doing something wrong. saying killing and circumcisions are the same is like like saying Polar bears are the same as stuffed teddy bears. One kills, the other doesnt...lol (Case by case basis logic)
I witnessed my son's circumcision to make sure they did not harm him. He didn't weep at all, they were fast, well-carried out in the process, and it is shown to be more hygienic than leaving the foreskin. They didn't "kill" his member. He was practically asleep through his circumcision. This is my moral line that I drew for myself.
I didn't start this thread to be a debate, so unless you have something positive to give me, you are only making it that much more difficult in being helpful. Sorry I am not a bionic who can toss out my feelings when I clock in, but just how I have to respect my patients decisions, the workplace needs to respect mine. It's not like I'll be trying to get a job at an abortion clinic and then tell them im not okay with participating.
Because you are getting responses you don't agree with or want to hear, it's a debate?
These people are NURSES whereas you haven't even started nursing school yet. They are working the jobs you are questioning about. They have tons more experience than you.
Everyone has the right to be selective on the advice they get, but if you aren't willing to receive it, then why are you asking for it?
Because you are getting responses you don't agree with or want to hear, it's a debate?
These people are NURSES whereas you haven't even started nursing school yet. They are working the jobs you are questioning about. They have tons more experience than you.
Everyone has the right to be selective on the advice they get, but if you aren't willing to receive it, then why are you asking for it?
I'm saying that making comments such as "you know why? Because it's not about me." Are not helping me find places that I could work in the future with babies. Some people on here are not giving me advice of where I can work like Nursel56 was so kind to give. I keep asking for the same thing and some people are just saying their opinions and not that they aren't allowed to, I don't mind if their opinions differ from mine, but at least help guide me in a direction that doesn't sound completely negative.
I'm saying that making comments such as "you know why? Because it's not about me." Are not helping me find places that I could work in the future with babies. Some people on here are not giving me advice of where I can work like Nursel56 was so kind to give. I keep asking for the same thing and some people are just saying their opinions and not that they aren't allowed to, I don't mind if their opinions differ from mine, but at least help guide me in a direction that doesn't sound completely negative.
Reality does not equate to negativity.
Shedding light on what you will undergo in nursing school from people who BTDT gives you a better insight; your concern is such a minute detail, you must understand that those issues will have a MUCH different meaning once you enter nursing school, complete nursing school, and become a nurse...you are NOT going to know what specialty you will be in; most people have to build a foundation prior to getting a specialty-maybe you will go straight into the specialty; however being cognizant (as you stated in previous posts you were WILLING to be) gives one a better perspective; these are insightful opinions about an issue that is dear to you; however being aware of where you stand in the nurse-pt relationship-which you will learn in detail in nursing school-is paramount; best to learn now and understand that concept; that doesn't mean you are to abandon your personal ethics ; what it means is that there's a ton of REAL GRAY; it's important to understand the mindset of what posters are sharing with you...the REAL GRAY of nursing.
nursel56
7,122 Posts
I've never worked anywhere that advocates for elective abortions. I've worked for a few that do the procedure, but allow nurses who object to opt out of participating.
I've worked in lots of peds environments and possibly since our patients are already born, never once had the topic of abortion come up other than theoretically in the area of genetic counseling.
Leaving aside the question of job availability in specialties like NICU and peds, combined with a choice not to work for facilities that perform elective abortions, it shouldn't be too difficult to research individual healthcare systems to find out what their policies are before you start a nursing program.
You may want to research non-nursing jobs working with babies if working with babies is your number one career goal, and the highly competitive nature of those nursing specialties is a factor for you.