Required to watch circumcision?

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I'm a nursing student and unfortunately will be starting my OB rotation in a couple weeks. I'm against circumcision and I'm wondering if nursing students are "required" to assist or at least witness circ? I'm doing my clinical during 2nd shift so I shouldn't have to worry about refusing to watch due to circs mainly being done in the morning. But I'm just wondering if this is something a nursing student is involved in. Thanks!

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.
I'm a nursing student and unfortunately will be starting my OB rotation in a couple weeks. I'm against circumcision and I'm wondering if nursing students are "required" to assist or at least witness circ? I'm doing my clinical during 2nd shift so I shouldn't have to worry about refusing to watch due to circs mainly being done in the morning. But I'm just wondering if this is something a nursing student is involved in. Thanks!

I had my OB rotation this past fall and watching a circumcision was optional.

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I just finished my OB rotation, and I did not watch a circ, just because it never happened to occur. Some of my classmates did, though. Although I oppose RIC, I would have willingly observed one. Do you feel like you just couldn't stomach it? If nothing else, witnessing one would give you that much more credibility when advocating against RIC. ;)

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

I am against circumcision and I still watched one. I wanted to know exactly what happened, how it happened and how the infant reacted. I felt that it was important to watch so that when I have a client who would like this performed on her infant, that I can tell her and her partner what to expect and how he infant will react. Additionally, the care for the site is important and it is essential that the parents be educated on how to do so.

If people choose to do this then thats fine. Its not my job to judge. But it is my job to care for baby and for the parents and part of that is to educate them on the procedure, and how to properly take care of the site afterward.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

As a student, I witnessed and assisted with circumcision. Assisted as in set up field, brought and comforted baby, got equipment, comforted and received/recovered baby after procedure, broke down field/equipment.

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As a student, I witnessed and assisted with circumcision. Assisted as in set up field, brought and comforted baby, got equipment, comforted and received/recovered baby after procedure, broke down field/equipment.

Ditto ...

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Don't know how this became its own thread considering I posted this in another thread. Anyway...thanks all for your kind input, that's all I asked for. :)

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I do not think you would be required to however you may want to consider watching the procedure. There is a good possibility you will not agree with everything you encounter in nursing and as a nurse you can not refuse to take care of a patient.

I'm a nursing student and unfortunately will be starting my OB rotation in a couple weeks. I'm against circumcision and I'm wondering if nursing students are "required" to assist or at least witness circ? I'm doing my clinical during 2nd shift so I shouldn't have to worry about refusing to watch due to circs mainly being done in the morning. But I'm just wondering if this is something a nursing student is involved in. Thanks!
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I do not think you would be required to however you may want to consider watching the procedure. There is a good possibility you will not agree with everything you encounter in nursing and as a nurse you can not refuse to take care of a patient.

I would never be able to watch...I would probably eventually be sued by the Dr. for attacking him, lol. YES, I know I won't agree with everything I encounter but that doesn't mean I have to subject myself to watching a baby being mutilated. Hence the reason I never want to work in OB (circ is not the only reason though). :)

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I've watched videos online (it's actually how I convinced DH not to circ by sending him the videos!) so I know what's done. I'm against RIC and will watch when I finally get to that point. I agree with the PP who said it will help you advocate against it when it comes up you can say "have you ever seen it done? Do you know what they actually do?".

I'm against elective induction (read: induction b/c mom is tired, dr convenience, etc - inductions done for medical reasons are a-okay, then they're a good thing!) but that doesn't mean I don't want to be part of the process (even just as an observer) if that's what's available.

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I just finished my OB rotation, and I did not watch a circ, just because it never happened to occur. Some of my classmates did, though. Although I oppose RIC, I would have willingly observed one. Do you feel like you just couldn't stomach it? If nothing else, witnessing one would give you that much more credibility when advocating against RIC. ;)

I wouldn't be able to stomach it because it's a barbaric procedure and still in 2010 America still thinks it needs to be done. The choice is made by the parent and the Dr. is performing the procedure without patient consent. It just saddens me to know that if the parent(s) were given proper information, the baby may not be being diced. So, no I wouldn't want to watch one, but can possibly understand why others would due to wanting to see how it's done.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

This became its own thread since it was off topic to the original thread and we felt that you would get more responses directed at your topic.

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