Health Workers' Choice

[gregorio3]

I don't know if anyone has been keeping up with this.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11080793/

Basically, some states are proposing laws in which health care workers could refuse service to people or situations in which they had moral conflict with, i.e. abortion, morning after pills, stem cell research, gay and lesbian people.

I believe that this could almost be divided into two subjects, treatments that go against what people believe (abortion), and lifestyles that people disagree with (i.e. morning after pill, homosexuality).

I personally thought that health care workers should provide service to everyone no matter what their beliefs, because it is their job. Good example is the military helping wounded enemies.

[Chrissy]

	Quote:	gregorio3
	I personally thought that health care workers should provide service to everyone no matter what their beliefs, because it is their job. Good example is the military helping wounded enemies.

I agree! They took an oath. It's not up to them to be the judge of these people. It's up to them to keep them alive! That person's lifestyle and choices are between them and their g(G)od.

[med1]

I am a health care worker...and I dont have to do anything aginst my beleaf..but the way I see it... (wright or wrong) its your body and you have to answer for it...not me... so if you wont it and I can lealgy do it.. I will do what I can and make it as safe for you as I can.....God put me here ( I belive) to learn how to love and to tell people about him.. not to judge them ..Lord only knows I have done enough in this world to answer for .. I sure dont need to add to it..................

[bamanut01]

Nurses are not presently required to perform or assist in any procedure which is against their religious beliefs, such as abortion. Nurses are obligated to carry out physician's orders in all other instances without regard to the nurse's personal beliefs or safety. Nurses are obligated to care patients who have diseases the nurse can catch, however the nurse is supplied with personal safety equipment such as gloves and masks.

[Luv4Demop]

	Quote:	cchesshir
	I agree! They took an oath. It's not up to them to be the judge of these people. It's up to them to keep them alive! That person's lifestyle and choices are between them and their g(G)od.

Oath? I don't recall ever taking an oath. Please don't get started with the whole "it's their job" bit. Unless someone has been a nurse for a few years.....then they really don't have any idea what it's like to be a nurse.

[Chrissy]

	Quote:	Luv4Demop
	Oath? I don't recall ever taking an oath. Please don't get started with the whole "it's their job" bit. Unless someone has been a nurse for a few years.....then they really don't have any idea what it's like to be a nurse.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that healthcare professionals took an "oath" of some sort. Maybe that is just doctors. Perhaps I was misinformed on the entire thing.
You're correct, I have no idea what it is like to be a nurse, nor will I ever. I also don't know what it's like to be the President, but we all put our 2 cents in on that too.

I happen to respect the job of all health care workers. It is a wonderful profession, but it is my PERSONAL opinion that all patients should be cared for, regardless of any of the things mentioned above. Just an opinion...we all got em.

[shortstuff]

i am also a nurse. nurses do not take an oath of any kind, that is only doctors. personally, i feel if you do not want to deal with certain types of patients then you should find a job where you don't have to. if you are against abortion, don't work in an abortion clinic. i don't believe a nurse should be able to refuse care based on PERSOANL beliefs i.e. against homosexuality,etc. there are plenty of different types of nursing jobs to chose from--hospice, hospital, nursing homes, home health, dialysis, clinics, mental health--just to name a few. JMO.

[Daddy'sBabyGirl]

This is a very touchy subject! As a healthcare professional, I feel it is my duty to care for individuals regardless of my moral or ethical belief; however, I do not feel I have to participate in "elective" procedures nor administer medications that I know to be contraindicated or used in a manner not intended! I have a liscence to protect! When it comes to giving care to gays, lesbians, whites, blacks, poor, rich, aids, not, etc., etc., I feel we are all humans in God's eyes and each person deserves the same care and attention as another. Speaking for myself, I didn't become a nurse to care for people just like me! That would be pretty boring!

[AubieTiger]

Very well said DBG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dillybar]

We are moving into a brave new world of cloning, cyborgs, sex selection, genetic testing of embryos," Stevens said. "The list of difficult ethical issues involving nurses, physicians, research scientists, pharmacists and other health care workers is just continuing to increase."

Perhaps the above is too much for some?

"Conflicts over other health care workers emerged after the morning-after pill was approved and pharmacists began refusing to fill prescriptions for it. As a result, some lost their jobs, were reprimanded or were sanctioned by state licensing boards."

or this????


"The issue is gaining new prominence this year because of a confluence of factors. They include the heightened attention to pharmacists amid a host of controversial medical issues, such as the possible over-the-counter sale of the Plan B morning-after pill, embryonic research and testing, and debates over physician-assisted suicide and end-of-life care in the wake of the Terri Schiavo right-to-die case."

I would refuse to take part in any of the above if I were asked to do so.

"This goes to the core of what it means to be an American," said David Stevens, executive director of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations. "Conscience is the most sacred of all property. Doctors, dentists, nurses and other health care workers should not be forced to violate their consciences."

I agree wholeheartedly with the above statement.


I have no issues with assisting those who are ill, but stem cell research(or any other "research" done on an embryo or fetus) assisted suicide, abortion, morning-after-pill or right to die issues are none I would take part in.