Will I HAVE TO particpate in abortions if I become a L&D nurse????

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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I'm VERY against abortion! I can't imagine supporting some through one, not saying that I would be mean, or anything like that, but I seriously couldn't act like I thought it was "OK" to do it just because they are too selfish to be parent's and would rather kill a baby than give him/her to someone who would give anything to have a baby. [Please don't reply with all the "medical reasons" to have an abortion! I know you have rights under the law to choose to do what you want with your body. I'm simply saying that FOR ME assisting in an abortion would be the same (again) FOR ME as standing next to someone with a gun in their hand about to shoot another person then saying "Oh wait, you forgot to take off the safety!"] I have been intersted in the whole process of pregnancy since I was pretty young (around 14 or so) and for quite a while even wanted to become an OB but decided that having a family wouldn't work for me if I chose to follow that career, and thought being a L&D nurse would be a perfect fit for me. I had never even thought of the possiblity of having to participate in an abortion until here reciently. (A comment some one made in passing when I told them I was going into nursing school) I will be starting my prereqs for nursing school on the 23, so I know I may find another area of nursing that I would be happy in once I start clinicals, but I really want to be a L&D nurse. Will abortions be "required" for me to work in L&D??? TIA!

Have a Great Day!

Chancie

I think it is a good idea for people to suggest to this person to strongly consider her future. Someone with this strong of a value about a topic is likely to have a equally strong opionion about other things. Nursing school is long, hard, and expensive to only find out you cannot provide care to patients with different morals. In all fields of nursing that there will be something you don't like about certain patients. I have had convicted child-molesters and murderers as patients (the worse of the worse, IMO). I hated every second of it but I COULD participate in there care, and I COULD treat them with the same respect as I would any one else. Same with my fellow co-workers. My point is- Being a nurse will require you to provide care to people with many different values. It is one thing to hate taking care of certain patients but it is another to say you are unable to. When it comes down to it, you are obligated to take care of your patients. What if you had a L&D patient that you found out 1/2 way thru your shift that they have had an abortion in the past. Would you still keep taking care of this patient?

Michelle

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I don't think the original poster said that she couldn't or wouldn't take the very best care of a patient that has different morals than she does. I didn't get the impression that she was judging anyone, she's just saying that it would be hard for her to participate in the ACTUAL abortion, which has nothing to do with a patient's past or present life decisions.

Chancie, if L&D is your passion, then go for it! No need to apologize or feel bad for anything. You're going to be a great!

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I work on a small unit where we (a secular facility) do not do ab's unless it is a catastrophic anomaly like anencephaly. My beliefs are compatible w/ what we do on our unit. My best advice is, as many others have said, find a unit that does what you can live with. I worked briefly on one where some of us were exempt from this. It did become a staffing problem. Even if you are okay w/ abortion, you don't want to do it day after day due to the staffing mix, if your job is L/D. I had the pleasure of becoming the object of this (legitimate in many ways complaint). Another party complained to me,"You work on a unit where this is done, so I get stuck w/ what you don't want to do." My answer is that the other party worked on a unit where she knew others could refuse and that she might be in that position. IMHO, not a good fit for either of us. Good luck. I think in today's job market, you can find something that is a good fit if you look carefully. I think the OP doesn't want to participate in ab's, not that she wishes to shun anyone who has had one in the past.

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i wonder if some of you are actually taking the time to read what i have posted or only trying to find things to twist and throw at me because we have differing opinions? i have at no time said that i would not care for someone who has had an abortion in the past, or has different morals than i.:uhoh3: i actually said the exact oppsite!

as far as the comment about the "devil worship"... i didn't mean that i would stop carring for a patient if they asked me to participate, but that i would not do it because it was a violation of my beliefs!

also, i believe an abortion is doing something that is meant to guarentee a dead baby. if the baby is already dead then that's not something someone did to purposfuly kill him/her, just a very unfortunate situation. some one who is induced because that's the only way to have the best possible outcome for both mother and baby (regardless of whether the baby does live or not) is nothing resembleing an abortion, at least in the way i see it. or, if the mother is dying, i think that everything should be done to save her, and hope that the baby would survive too. i could never and would never set out with the purpose to kill a unborn child or anyone else. and as such i would do anything i could to help someone live regardless of who they were, how they believe, or what they have done in the past!!!

thank you to those who have given constructive replys!

have a great day!

chancie

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
I could NEVER and would NEVER set out with the purpose to kill a unborn child or anyone else. And as such I would do anything I could to help someone live REGARDLESS of who they were, how they believe, or what they have done in the past!!!

Thank you to those who have given constructive replys!

Have a Great Day!

Chancie

Chanicie, I think with the above, you've more or less answered your question.

The answer is no you will not be required to participate in elective abortions because you're going to refuse. So isn't it really a moot point? Still it's a good question and I don't blame you because I wouldn't do it either, end of discussion.

Most hospitals aren't abortion clinics anyway, so you can relax about it. Every blue moon in a high risk ob area you're going to come across a situation of "baby's life or mom's life...both aren't going to live", but that's extremely rare, and if it's a dilmema you can perhaps opt out of that. When interviewing that is something you can ask. As was mentioned above, a faith-based hospital might be where you choose to work.

Best wishes.

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Chanicie, I think with the above, you've more or less answered your question.

The answer is no you will not be required to participate in elective abortions because you're going to refuse. So isn't it really a moot point? Still it's a good question and I don't blame you because I wouldn't do it either, end of discussion.

I was mostly concerned as to whether or not it would be expected for me to participate if I was working in L&D. As in if I would loose my job if someone came in wanting an abortion- for example because they found out that their baby had down syndrome or something like that -and I refused. Not that the threat of losing my job would change anything, but I was just curious as to how things worked, and if L&D was going to pretty much be out of my scope because of my beliefs.

Have a Great Day!

Chancie

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

I understand your concerns. Keep in mind that abortions include a variety of events! It is not cut and dry like "I do not want this baby so I want an abortion". There are lots of events that qualify medically as an abortion which you may not know about at this time; an involuntary miscarriage is one.

Plus, many health procedures which are voluntary abortions are NOT labeled as abortions... they are labeled other things because IMO rich people can pass laws and label procedures as they see fit, but they are still abortions. For example, someone who has infertility treatments and is carrying multiple fetuses, or embryos, or zygotes and is told that for the health of her and the babies she needs to get rid a few and undergoes the procedure is performing an abortion. However, the procedure will NOT be label as such.

By the way, departments that insist on all nurses being trained in all areas will probably not hire you because within the interview they will ask this question. I think this is fair to you and to them even if it may not sound fair.

On a brighter note, L&D departments are set up differently! There are hospitals that break up L&D into specializations such as post partum and other non-surgical procedures so you will not be subjected to assisting with any abortions no matter how it is labeled. In fact, I highly advise that you seek out such employers to put your mind at ease. During your interview be sure to ask if in the future you will be expected to train in surgical areas even if this is not the case now. The reason I write this is because some departments may not perform abortions now but are trying to move in that direction in the near future. GL.

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.
As far as the comment about the "devil worship"... I didn't mean that I would stop carring for a patient if they asked me to participate, but that I would NOT do it because it was a violation of my beliefs!

Do you honestly believe that someone is going to ask you to participate in devil worship???

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Do you honestly believe that someone is going to ask you to participate in devil worship???

I wouldn't think so, no. It was only an example. No hidden meanings, or anything else....

Have a Great Day!

Chancie

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I am very against it to...but if I worked L & D, and it was necessary, and I was working with a doctor that did it to where there was pain control for the fetus as well as the mother...I would be ok with that.

What I would refuse to participate in, is any late-term abortions regardless of medical reason...even in the case of pre-eclampsia, I just don't see why a fetus has to be mutilated in the process...I believe you should deliver the fetus just like you would in any birth where you are trying to save it, and let God make the choice.

No way could I do it.

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I wouldn't think so, no. It was only an example. No hidden meanings, or anything else....

Have a Great Day!

Chancie

I thought you were just using hyperbole to make a point . .. .not that you were serious. :D

One of my very first experiences as a nurse was assisting a couple whose baby had died and we were inducing. It was an honor and privilege to attend to this couples' needs and be there when the baby was born. It was difficult too.

I think abortion is a hot topic . . . . always be ready for that when you bring it up.

You can rest assured that you will NOT have to participate in abortions if you become a labor and delivery nurse.

Best wishes to you!

steph

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This is a good question, and one I asked before I decided to work towards becoming an L&D nurse. I wouldn't want to participate in an 'elective abortion' either, but I have cared for patients who have had abortions in their past and although I believe abortion would not be a choice for me, I'm not going to judge other people if they've had an abortion in their past (which is the feeling I get from the OP as well).

An easy way out of this dilemna for me was to work in a Catholic hospital. If the baby even has a 1% chance of life they will not terminate it, no matter what (at least where I work, and I have come to realize that this is not always a good thing). We have, however, had to induce due to fetal demise, but that is not a problem for me, and I have been fortunate enough not to come across a life or death situation in which either the mother will die or the baby must be terminated.

I think you will make a great nurse. Every nurse has their own beliefs and values and it's important to look at those before going into any area of nursing. Even with certain values you can still find a hospital that will work for you. It's important to evaluate your beliefs and find a fit.

When I first started nursing school I had a lot of beliefs and ideas about the world (I was 38 when I started, so a little set in my ways, lolol). Nursing school opened my eyes and helped me get out of my 'comfort zone'. I feel it helped me grow as a person as well. You will come across all sorts of people and be amazed, shocked, and sometimes even angry, but it will expand your views of the world and make you realize how precious life really is.

Best of luck to you,

Keli

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