Ok to refuse circ assist?

[ballardfam]

I'm in the float pool, usually to med, med-surg, gyne. Occasionally to renal or onco. A couple days ago I was asked to float to postpartum to work with a nurse. Got good orientation, no unsafe situations.

My question is, do you think it's ok to refuse to assist with a circ for personal disapproval? I'm not so concerned about hospital policy, just asking for opinions on refusal to support family's decision.

Thx

[leslie :-D]

yes, 'supposedly', we nurses are allowed to refuse certain tasks, based on our moral objections.

but you need to tell your nm asap.

and put it in writing.

leslie

[northshore08]

yes...what she said.

[NursKris82]

There may or may not be consequences to refusing to help. Once a poster asked about refusing to help with abortions due to personal beliefs and was told that she could refuse, but it may cost her her job unless they were aware of her unwilingness to do this task and OK'd it. Sometimes as nurses we have to do tasks we don't agree with- end of life care issues, family issues and so forth and just have to do it anyway. I'd talk with my NM to inform her of my feelings and to see what the policy is and get it OK's in writing.

[november17, ASN, RN]

i personally wouldn't assist with circs because they are terribly depressing procedures. i know i am a male and everything, and i wouldnt go over on the OB floor very well anyways. but personally i found the circ procedure to be 100% the most depressing thing about nursing school. those little babies strapped into their little fitted plastic holders and then having the tip of the memberes (foreskin) cut off!!!! terrible....just terrible...torture, i may say. poor babies. completely unnecessary procedure and a very bad start to a new life.

super depressing.

[kdkout, BSN, RN]

If it's considered part of your job ie. in your job description, ultimately you cannot refuse....you can ask not to, but they can force you to do it....UNLESS....you get in writing from your manager that you wont do it and the manager approves it also in writing.

Carry that sheet of paper with you at all times.

I faced this issue as a labor and delivery nurse because I didnt know that the hospital did abortions - like many level III public hospitals do - so I had no idea that was part of my job when I interviewed.....and I was not told. I was told I'd have to take care of fetal demise patients....ugh, NOT the same thing. Anyway, I met with management who told me I had to do it if no one else would volunteer to do it for me, so I quit.

At another hospital I got it in writing upon hire from the manager...then that manager left, I lost the letter and the new manager tried to force me into it again. It's sad. There's always a lot of ethical issues in nursing, in every field.

[MBUnurse]

Your hospital should have a policy (usually in HR section) on objecting to care for patients based on ethical reasons. As long as another nurse will care for the patient you are OK. Discuss with your manager as suggested before you are placed in the situation.

Also a good idea to review your ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, however, and make sure you are not projecting your beliefs on others. Ultimately the patient needs to be cared for with dignity and there are measures to make the baby confortable. Maybe the issue is MDs are not using pain management measures, which is a cruel and outdated practice.