Medical termination of pregnancy.

Katnip, RN · Feb 3, 2009

Catholic hospitals won't do them at all. I don't know how to go about asking during an interview.

allnurses Guide · Feb 3, 2009

Why can't you just ask? It's no different than asking if any other procedure is performed.

Euskadi1946 · Feb 3, 2009

No therapeutic abortions are performed in any Catholic Hospitals that I know of. I don't think they even sell contraception in Catholic Hospitals either. Here in Utah where I live abortions are not done in any of the acute care facilities. Women who want abortions are referred to either Planned Parenthood or a Women's Clinic. I'm not sure about other states. If you have strong feelings one way or the other, wait until your interviewer asks and if they don't ask then by all means ask them what the hospital policy is.

RedCell · Feb 3, 2009

I'm a GN and interviewing for jobs in L&D and postpartum. I was wondering if medical terminations and abortions are handled in L&D or on a different unit. How would I go about asking about the hospitals policies during job interviews without alienating the recruiter? Do all hospitals perform these procedures?
I would have no problem caring for these patients in post partum but would not want to be part of the procedures in any way.
TIA!

'Medical terminations' are typically executed on an L&D unit. If it is a matter of refusing to work in a hospital that performs these procedures, you should know that academic tertiary institutions tend to do more of these than other hosptials. Catholic institutions refuse. If you are okay with the hospital doing the procedure, but refuse to take part in the voluntary execution of an innocent living human being, let your heart not be troubled. Just request another provider to care for the patient. This is what I have always done and it has not created any life shattering complications thus far. Your personal beliefs on this matter will not prevent you from working on an L&D unit as many L&D nurses hold similar values. I do not even think it is worth disclosing to the recruiter.:dncgbby:

SharonH, RN · Feb 3, 2009

'Medical terminations' are typically executed on an L&D unit. If it is a matter of refusing to work in a hospital that performs these procedures, you should know that academic tertiary institutions tend to do more of these than other hosptials. Catholic institutions refuse. If you are okay with the hospital doing the procedure, but refuse to take part in the voluntary execution of an innocent living human being, let your heart not be troubled. Just request another provider to care for the patient. This is what I have always done and it has not created any life shattering complications thus far. Your personal beliefs on this matter will not prevent you from working on an L&D unit as many L&D nurses hold similar values. I do not even think it is worth disclosing to the recruiter.:dncgbby:

RedCell is right. If you do not want to participate in a procedure that is being performed in order to save someone's life, then you can just switch assignments.

mom2mnaj · Feb 3, 2009

Medical Terminations are performed on our L&D unit. However, everyone is asked during orientation if they have any objections to participating. Anyone who does not wish to participate (regardless of reason for their personal choice) do not have to take care of these patients during the process. From my experience, there has been no repercussions or backlash towards anyone wishing to excuse themselves from these.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Feb 3, 2009

Same deal at my place. We don't do elective terminations - that is to say, we don't terminate just because someone for whatever reason wants to end their pregnancy. We do, however, have situations where it's either deliver baby early with next to zero chance for survival, or mom and baby die from HELLP/DIC. It is a tough call to make for some folks. I personally would not assist in an elective termination, but in the situation I described afterward, I actually did participate in this woman's care. There are some shades of gray here. 22 weeks and mom's already in HELLP, baby is thought to be IUGR, placenta looks unhealthy on u/s....we delivered that baby. She died.

But you should not have any problem stating that you don't want to assist in the actual procedure if that's your desire.

IndigoCarmine · Feb 8, 2009

I want to take issue with the idea that has been suggested here more than once that "just switching assignments" is the way to handle the situation, as if no harm is done.

Your beliefs are your beliefs and you need to make them clear during your interview for sure. If you feel strongly about it, you should ask what the policy is.

It is very presumptuous and frankly rather irresponsible to assume that another nurse will be available to switch assignments with you. Maybe there will, maybe there won't. Maybe the unit is short that day. Maybe it is an emergency and there isn't time. Maybe everyone scheduled that particular shift would not accept that assignment.

Anyone who 100% would not participate in a medical abortion in any circumstances should be working in a Catholic institution. Period.

Nighshft · Feb 9, 2009

I asked when I interviewed at one hospital and was told that "you don't have a choice, you have to", and I didn't take the position.

Where I am now, a tiertary hospital, after I worked there and I realised that they did do terminations, I submitted, in writing, a letter explaing that I could not participate in a termination, although I had no problem with caring for patients with stillborns or inevitable abortions. they gave me a little bit of push back ( I think to see if I was truly doing it for issues of conscience). I responded that I would ask my local churches to come down and show their support, and there was no way they wanted THAT publicity...They are now doing KCL inections of late term terminations 21-24 weeks, but I will not take care of those patients either, as I consider that part of the termination procedure.

I have been told that if no one is available, they may have to call someone in and then they won't need me...in 15 years that has never happened.

Bottom line is you need to live with yourself and not endanger your soul, if that is the reason for your refusal.

nkochrn, RN · Feb 17, 2009

I work in a rural hospital and we do not do voluntary terminations for any reason! I didn't realize that it was so common for these to be done in L&D:( I thought that they had to go to an abortion clinic, but I guess it varies by state too.

I know of a mom we had that went into labor at 20 weeks, came in with bulging membranes and delivery was inevitable. That baby was delivered in our L&D, but there was nothing about it that was voluntary.

mamafeliz · Feb 17, 2009

We do terminations in our facility. No one is ever forced to be involved if they have religious/spiritual objections. This is important for the woman/family, too. A woman is extremely vulnerable during these late terminations primarily done because of extreme fetal or maternal complications. The loss is still profound, and the support needs to be palpaple and rock solid.