more about nurses and circ

[lovinmama]

I just wanted to post and hear peoples thoughts. I am in nursing school now, I am going to be a CNM, as well as a CPM. I have already been through direct entry midwifery school but decided on nursing school for a several reasons. Anyway, last week we were talking about male anatomy and one of our books said that at around 3 months of age you should start retracting the foreskin . I mean this textbook is the newest edition, I just could not believe it. I definately called that out and the teacher said she thought it was more like 3 years but she was unsure. I tried then to tell the class that the foreskin retracts at different times, but no one seemed to really care. I just feel sad that they teach this type of info to future nurses.


I have already informed my instructors that I will NOT witness or be involved in any circumcisions in any way! I will take a failing grade first. I told them I would not watch a female have her genitals mutilated and I will not watch a male have his mutilated either.


Are there any other nurses out there who have refused to be involved in anyway with this?

[Frankly Speaking]

Good for you! I am so glad to hear that you spoke out! With conscientious professionals like you speaking up, the word will spread all around the hospital and you will influence many.

There have been many nurses who have refused to do genital mutilation duty the most notable being Marilyn Milos, founder and director of NOCIRC. There is also an organization of nurses who are against Routine Infant Circumcision.



Frank

[Teresa]

Hmmmn. . . there are 'The Nurses of St. Vincents' or, at least I think that's it.
Will follow up later. . .

[ThomasL]

Teresa,you are correct.It is the nurses of St Vincent.

[Quirky]

Can you send a letter with references to the publishing company and the author of that stupid textbook?

Good for you for taking a stand - we need more health care professionals like you!

[DesireeH]

Ditto to Jane's post, can you send a letter to the publishing company with references? They should definately correct that! UGH!!

[bluemoon72]

I'm a nurse too. When I was in nursing school I saw ONE circ and WAS horrified!! I didn't need to see another one EVER! My ds is intact as he should be. I am a labor and delivery room nurse and it gives me a chance to educate people that circumcision is not at all needed!! Some won't hear it, but I try. I also try to explain to them that they doon't need a epidural and that creats a lot of laughs. Oh well I try. Untill I can get my kiddos raised and myself into midwifery school this is what I do: !

[lovinmama]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I am definately going to send a letter to the publishing company of the book.

[Ocean_Swimmer]

Hi lovinmama,
I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to know if you had any reply of any kind from the publisher you mention.
I'd also like to know who the publisher is, the title of the text, (page numbers might be good as well, with quotes...)authors, and the appropriate address.
Perhaps if we have enough informed parents writing (via e-mail, if possible) to them, they will edit all future editions to reflect the latest standard of care.
If you would kindly post the info on this thread, we might have a salutory impact on the editor's thinking.

History can be re-written, I think

Glad to hear of other nurses horrified at the practice of circumcision.

I was lucky to be one of Marilyn Milo's nursing classmates.
We graduated 25 years ago this May!!!....how time has flown.

Open discussion and thoughtful dialogue is one of the strengths and risks of the nursing profession.
When we ask the status quo 'why?' --it is not to belittle or create defensiveness: it is to look at 'accepted practice' with new eyes and re-evaluate the reasoning behind our actions.
Marilyn was the only student in our clinical group who approached the doctor and the baby boy and offered to comfort the child during the procedure. Without angry confrontation, or 'attitude', her quiet response taught me so much about the real goals of parenthood, nursing, and right action.
Marilyn didn't 'seek out' a situation that required intervention...instead, she observed our practice of nursing with an open heart and mind, and has the courage to ask the hard questions. Lessons like this are all around us, in everyday life.

Witnessing one circumcision was a direct contributing cause to the birth of NOCIRC.
As nurses, sometimes we are called on to witness the unspeakable so we can stand strong and speak out for those who need our advocacy and support....especially the helpless and voiceless.
It can be as simple....or powerful....as picking up and soothing that crying child instead of accepting the idea 'it builds character to let babies cry it out.'
I am grateful to have Marilyn's example of courage and grace. Her brand of activism focuses on the needs of the patient, not the egos of the caregivers, or the potential for dramatic confrontation.
...just a bit of food for thought this Tuesday morning. Sorry to ramble, folks.