Conscientious objection in healthcare refers to the rejection of an action or treatment by the provider, on the grounds that it would violate their deeply held moral or ethical values about what is right and wrong (Lachman, 2014). In nursing, this is signified by the refusal of the nurse to undertake a procedure and participate in a situation on the basis of conscience (Lachman, 2014). According to the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (2015), a registered nurse has the “right to refuse to participate in procedures which they judge, on strongly held religious, moral and ethical beliefs, to be unacceptable” (p. 1).
This position statement will aim to convey the reasons why nurses should not be able to conscientiously object to situations or procedures which are relevant to a patient which they are …show more content…
It can be argued that this is an incorrect use of conscientious objection and professional integrity, as those who choose to care for women who have chosen to terminate their pregnancy do so due to their deeply held belief that this procedure is in the best interest of the patient (Levi, 2015). Therefore, these views and beliefs demand the same protection and respect as those who conscientiously object to abortion care (Levi, 2015). Nurses must be aware that conscience underpins a women decision to have an abortion and ensure they provide safe and unstigmatised abortion care (Stewart, 2013). For example, the NMBA (2016) standard 2.3 states that a nurse “recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life” (p. 3). Therefore, a nurse should always advocate for their patient’s choices, as the patient knows what is best for their own health, as they are the person who will live with the consequences of undertaking or refusing a
This position statement will aim to convey the reasons why nurses should not be able to conscientiously object to situations or procedures which are relevant to a patient which they are …show more content…
It can be argued that this is an incorrect use of conscientious objection and professional integrity, as those who choose to care for women who have chosen to terminate their pregnancy do so due to their deeply held belief that this procedure is in the best interest of the patient (Levi, 2015). Therefore, these views and beliefs demand the same protection and respect as those who conscientiously object to abortion care (Levi, 2015). Nurses must be aware that conscience underpins a women decision to have an abortion and ensure they provide safe and unstigmatised abortion care (Stewart, 2013). For example, the NMBA (2016) standard 2.3 states that a nurse “recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life” (p. 3). Therefore, a nurse should always advocate for their patient’s choices, as the patient knows what is best for their own health, as they are the person who will live with the consequences of undertaking or refusing a