Abstract

Aims To highlight the potential difficulties in the management of staff with a
conscientious objection to abortion, in light of expanding role of nurses.
Background Recent years have seen changes in the provision of abortion services.
Medical procedures are now gaining popularity and some areas are seeing the integration
of outpatient clinics into ward settings. This may involve nurses being
required to provide care to women undergoing termination of pregnancy, which
may not have previously been within their remit. This has implications for staff with
a conscientious objection.
Methods A review of the academic literature.
Results The advent of medical abortion has led to changes in the way in which
abortion services are provided which in turn has re-ignited the debate of the competing
rights of nurses with a conscientious objection and those of the patient
accessing abortion services.
Conclusions This extended role of nurses creates challenges for staff working in
clinical areas offering termination of pregnancy and these are further compounded
when staff have expressed a conscientious objection to abortion.
Implications for Nursing Management Managers face new challenges in achieving
the fine balance between the rights of staff with a conscientious objection to
abortion and women accessing abortion services.