DO you have to help during a circumcision?

fergus51 · Oct 25, 2005

Just be honest about it from the beginning. I did help as a student (it's one of the reasons I refuse to help as a nurse). There is no requirement to participate in this if it's against your beliefs.

allnurses Guide · Oct 25, 2005

I never came across this when I was a student.

Fergus gave some good advice.

steph

Nurse-To-Be-Joy · Oct 25, 2005

To jump in here... it's not against my beliefs or anything. In fact, my son is circumsized. However, I was in the room during the procedure and I couldn't stand hearing him cry. That made ME cry, too. Do you all think it was just because it was my own child, or will I be able to be more professional if I ever to help with a circ? Thanks.

fergus51 · Oct 26, 2005

To jump in here... it's not against my beliefs or anything. In fact, my son is circumsized. However, I was in the room during the procedure and I couldn't stand hearing him cry. That made ME cry, too. Do you all think it was just because it was my own child, or will I be able to be more professional if I ever to help with a circ? Thanks.

Only you know that. I don't even have kids, but I don't like to hear an infant screaming in pain (I don't cry or anything, I just don't like it). You could always tell this to your instructor when you start your OB rotation. Most students have something that really bothers them and most nursing instructors are understanding.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 26, 2005

Students are not allowed to assist on this where i work. They can observe.

prmenrs, RN · Oct 26, 2005

As a student, your role, if a pt you were caring for (or her baby) were to have a circ, would likely be limited to providing comfort to the baby in the form of "sweetease" on a pacifier. At least, that's what I'd let you do.

I believe you'll need to know how to set up the proceedure, what anesthesia you'd provide for the Doc to use, teaching (for the mom), signs of problems.

Whether you "believe" in a proceedure or not does not mean it might not show up on the NCLEX.

Newbie Nurse SMP · Oct 26, 2005

Thank you for all of the insight. I just cringe thinking about being present for such a procedure.