Would you assist in abortions?

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2004

No, I don't think I could assist. I am with lots of others though, and could take care of the pt afterwards. What's up with nurses not giving blood transfusions? Odd. I know there is a religion that is against that, but doesn't that kind of come with the territory?

Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions.

And, no, doing morally unacceptable things does not come with the territory. Especially since there are a a large number of Bloodless medicine/surgery clinics across the country and many alternatives to transfusions.

Many facilities do not serve anything with caffeine in it. Some keep kosher kitchens. And some are vegetarian.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 21, 2004

Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions.
And, no, doing morally unacceptable things does not come with the territory. Especially since there are a a large number of Bloodless medicine/surgery clinics across the country and many alternatives to transfusions.
Many facilities do not serve anything with caffeine in it. Some keep kosher kitchens. And some are vegetarian.

Yes, the Jehovah's Witness pts. refuse blood transfusions: 'it is considered dirty when leaving the body'. They also do not bank their own blood to be donated later.

Now i called a friends, and i'm still waiting to hear what the 'rules' are about a JW nurse giving a pt. a blood transfusion. Sorry for the hijack, but that raised an interesting question in my mind.

Still Riding · Apr 21, 2004

I would assist and care for a pt who chose the route of an abportion, it is not up to me to decide what is right for any patient. They have the same rights that I do and are free to do what they like with their bodies.

On the topic of blood transfusion I would find it difficult to watch a patient die when I know that they could be saved with a simple blood transfusion, but it is their body and they have the right to refuse treatment on religiouse or any other ground that they see fit. As a nurse (or will be when I'm done school) it is not my place to force my ideals on any one else. I beleive that a nurse is responsible for being the voice of their pt, and if it is the pt choice to have a transfusion than that it should be done no matter the nurse's religion, it is the nurse's religion not the pt.

but I understand many of you will disagree with my opinon. I can understand where most of you are coming from and can see your opinion, everyone has the right to there own.

Still Riding

allnurses Guide · Apr 21, 2004

The question was "would you assist in an abortion."

Pretty much everyone has said they would care for a patient who had had an abortion. Aftercare is not the problem at all for those of us who would not assist in an abortion.

steph

karenmcd · Apr 21, 2004

I am so glad to hear from the baby's perspective...because that is the real story that is missing....glad to hear that your mother's gave you life as a choice...exactly!!!! There is a human being destroyed in abortion.

suzieq8907 · Apr 21, 2004

Just another thing...

My cousin was pg a few years back and did not want her child. She was 18, and already had one. She wanted an abortion. Her doctor told her that the "thing" (as he called it) was not really alive and that it was okay to kill "it". I am here to tell you that when the sperm and egg make that connection, I do not care how small it may be, that is a child. And I am here to say that that child has a right to live. You may think otherwise and that the mother should be able to choose but if they choose abortion, they are choosing murder and cruel and unusual punishment to their baby who did nothing wrong. It is not your child's fault, so why kill them? I have the upmost respect for people who give their children up for adoption. It shows maturity AND responsibility for their actions. If you choose to have intercourse, then you might as well at that time choose to have a baby (understand that I am not saying everytime u have sex you will get pg lol!!). People who murder innocent children disgust me. It may sound harsh, but cmon people do not murder your kids!

Hardknox · Apr 21, 2004

I wouldn't want to assist in the actual procedure, but YES I'd give the most compassionate and comforting care possible afterwards.
Would you refuse to give care to an end-stage AIDS patient that contracted the virus through homosexual acts?? Would you refuse to take care of a drug overdose??
Personally, I think it's not a nurse's place to make judgements about a patient's life style, decisions, etc.

I totally agree. After all my years of living, I do not have all the answers to life's problems. I see nothing in black and white any more. I would give compassioniate care to ALL my patients.

Nurse Hopeful · Apr 22, 2004

No not ever.

suzieq8907 · Apr 28, 2004

I would not judge any patient. I would treat an drug user who OD or an AIDS reciepient but I would never assist in murder.

nursebedlam · Apr 29, 2004

no i don't think i could work in that type of environment, think i'd find it pretty depressing

TDub, MSN, EdD · Apr 29, 2004

This may be a very inflammatory opinion--who am I kidding, it IS inflammatory--but I think as nurses, as soon as we accepted the responsibility to be nurses, we gave up the right to decide who gets care and who doesn't.

If we allow ourselves to say "I won't take care of X.", then where do you stop? I think rapists should be grilled over an open fire, but can I say, "No, I won't take care of him"? (And yes, I was in that position. I gritted my teeth and went in with a pleasant expression on my face and did a good job.) Can I refuse care to child molesters? How 'bout blacks? Asians? Gays? Christians, pro.lifers? Anyone else of whom I disapprove?

Where does it stop?

I firmly believe we have a sacred duty to care for whoever shows up. You can ask if another nurse could do it for you, but if it comes down to the wire, *tag* you're it. We are not the Final Arbeiter--leave that to God. I'm a Christian and I personally think God would be very disappointed in me if I decided I was going to pick and choose who had the "right" to care.

I don't like abortion either. I don't think I could have one. I hope for the day when no one wants or needs an abortion, but that day is far off. Meanwhile, I'll take a deep breath, screw my courage to the sticking point and go in to give good care.

I apologive in advance if I am offending anyone. I think this is an important issue and all points should be heard.

PegRNBSN · Apr 29, 2004

This may be a very inflammatory opinion--who am I kidding, it IS inflammatory--but I think as nurses, as soon as we accepted the responsibility to be nurses, we gave up the right to decide who gets care and who doesn't.
If we allow ourselves to say "I won't take care of X.", then where do you stop? I think rapists should be grilled over an open fire, but can I say, "No, I won't take care of him"? (And yes, I was in that position. I gritted my teeth and went in with a pleasant expression on my face and did a good job.) Can I refuse care to child molesters? How 'bout blacks? Asians? Gays? Christians, pro.lifers? Anyone else of whom I disapprove?
Where does it stop?
I firmly believe we have a sacred duty to care for whoever shows up. You can ask if another nurse could do it for you, but if it comes down to the wire, *tag* you're it. We are not the Final Arbeiter--leave that to God. I'm a Christian and I personally think God would be very disappointed in me if I decided I was going to pick and choose who had the "right" to care.
I don't like abortion either. I don't think I could have one. I hope for the day when no one wants or needs an abortion, but that day is far off. Meanwhile, I'll take a deep breath, screw my courage to the sticking point and go in to give good care.
I apologive in advance if I am offending anyone. I think this is an important issue and all points should be heard.

Refusing to assist in a procedure which kills another patient and is not usually a medical necessity is totally different from refusing to care for a type of patient who has a true medical need. Getting my nursing license did not mandate that I participate in murder