I did, however, question MY morals. I was so quick to judge his character because of three horrible tattoos, yet he was one of the nicest pts we had. Was I the one being judgemental? It made me take a step back and not be so quick based on first impressions.
This isn't a case of a potentially mistaken bad first impression. Those tattoos are permanent-he made a decision to imprint his philosophy onto his skin, his body-he is telling you who is really is.
I've learned over the course of many years its easy to judge but once humbled, you will never forget and then you will think twice about judging. Great discussion
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
I have no problem being judgmental......But, like others here, I will treat them based on their behavior at the time I am dealing with them as a nurse.
I think this is a great summary/take home point of it all. There's a difference between internally judging, and then reacting based on those judgements.
Some you wouldn't want to be caught dead associating with.
Tonight, I was watching Grey's Anatomy!
I'm way behind the times as I just started only a few weeks ago.
For the die hard fans, I'm on season four so you might remember this episode.
An ambulance T-boned another ambulance.
One of the paramedics injured kept refusing care from the doctors (2 African Americans).
Come to find out the paramedic was a white supremicist and had a HUGE swastika tattooed on his abdomen.
This episode is quite timely because I cared for a very similar patient recently.
Swastika tattoos. Racist comments. The stereotypical white supremacist.
It was quite uncomfortable to say the least.
He assumed that I was like him.
Whenever he spoke about the African American CNAs, he spoke in derogatory terms that I don't feel the need to repeat here.
We've all heard these words before.
It was even more uncomfortable when he assumed I would agree or that I was like him.
He assumed I believed in the same skewed moral values he had about African Americans.
I understand we are supposed to objective during our care.
At the same time, I DO NOT share those racist and hateful views these types of people have.
I've never understood it and I avoid anyone that is like that in my life. Naturally, I cared for this patient the same as anyone else. That's my job.
However, my question is:
Can a nurse refuse to care for a patient based upon moral objection?
I don't refuse care but when I did bedside nursing and patients used racial epithets I just flat out tell them I had a right not to hear it and the slurs were unwelcome. I am white; if I don't say anything then tacitly agreement is assumed. I have been in corrections for some time now and see a few swastikas, I have cared for a few who regret it. Communal living so they'll find out we are the same under our skin.
To answer your question I do not think you can refuse care. I would never think about refusing care.
Can a nurse refuse to care for a patient based upon moral objection?
With the exception of participating in an actual non emergent, elective abortion, I would say no, not without losing your job, and potentially, your license.
I have had patients who were clearly racist yet conducted themselves well to the point there was mutual respect between us.
Then I've had a patient, or two, where they were blatantly racist and highly disrespectful to the point of lying and I feared for my license. One was so ridiculous, she would pour water on the floor with me standing there then say "now clean it up N word." I left it right there walked out, went and got management and showed them her behavior. She did the same to any and all non-white staff regardless of job titles or duties throughout the hospital. They refused to protect us. I finally got to the point where I told them for fear of losing my license I don't feel safe an am uncomfortable taking care of this patient. I basically refused but I did so after an attempt to take care of the patient and the facility not protecting us against the obvious nazi behavior.
Eventually, I left that facility. I don't want to work for anyone who'd rather not protect their employees and subject them to bigoted and violent behavior. Til this day I think my unit manager thought that patient was funny. Those of us on the receiving end did not. There's nothing funny about racism. The patient even threw things at some people. She tried it with me but I caught the first item she threw and told her throw something else and I'm throwing it back. She was shocked I caught it.
That experience alone made me realize it was time to find a new job. I rather lose my job than my license and self respect. Many left after that patient. The writing was on the wall what administration thought of us. Not too long after they were all replaced by a pretty much new administration but it doesn't change the locals or their mentality. It's the only hospital in the area.
AndrewCraigRN: I am a Corrections nurse and my entire patient population is incarcerated. Way beyond some racist comments and a Swastika tattoo and the patient assuming I share their racist beliefs. My patients on one level or another, have been charged or convicted with the commission of a legally and sometimes morally offensive act against an individual or against society. So, on a daily basis at work I care for persons who have committed rape, assault, serial murder, gang offences, violation of children, drug distribution. Much higher ratio of patients with a psychiatric diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder (sociopathy).
I consider every shift a valuable education. It is an enormous challenge to practice nursing in such a hugely restrictive environment. Where a pen is a weapon. My access to my patients is restricted. All of my nursing is observed by a Corrections staff member. My patient is chained before they are transported by EMS.
In fact, I have faced judgement FROM nursing and medical staff in other settings!!! When I call report to the ER they are rude to me. I have had several ER and OB nurses try to tell me that my patient doesnt need to come to their ER. EMS tries to get out of transporting our patients. I have had more ER charge nurse push back...Arguing with me regarding patients with critical low electrolytes, persistent hypoglycemia, lady partslly bleeding pregnant women. Patients whom if they walked through the door instead of came in chains they would triage appropriately. How is that for morally objectionable.
I suspend judgement of my patients while I am working. My role is nurse, not judge. If I came to work with a bunch of moral objections I would have no way to practice nursing...what would I do? Refuse the assignment of a dormitory full of alleged and convicted rapists?
If the patient displays inappropriate behavior to me in that moment, I apply psychiatric nursing interventions to interrupt that inappropriate behavior. If my interventions are unsuccessful, I work with the Corrections staff to ensure the safety of the patient and everyone in contact with them. I am becoming skilled at de-escalation, therapeutic listening.
The only reason I would refuse to provide nursing care to a patient is if there was a physical threat to mine or my co-workers or the patient's personal safety. I have lost count of the offensive tattoos I have seen. The only part of the tattoo I care about is using it as a landmark for a PPD test placement.
If I want to be a judge, I will attend law school. I find your poll to be successful clickbait. At first I didnt like it, but after thinking about it, anything that makes us examine ourselves professionally is valuable.
Why is your patients' religion any of your business?
Actually, I mean that question in reference to the care you give, not what your personal opinion of this patient would be. Would you to refuse to provide nursing care to a satan worshipper?
Horseshoe, BSN, RN
5,879 Posts
This isn't a case of a potentially mistaken bad first impression. Those tattoos are permanent-he made a decision to imprint his philosophy onto his skin, his body-he is telling you who is really is.
Believe him.