Hello everyone,

I am new to this site. I have a question. I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses and am currently in Nursing school. However, after Nursing school I was wanting to move forward towards a specialty. CRNA appeals to me very much. However, because of my religious beliefs I'm not sure if I could be accepted into the schooling. Here are my questions:

Can you get into CRNA school if they are aware you are a JW and can not or will not order blood products?

During your residency, can you choose which area you want to practice in or are you sent to a required clinical like in regular nursing school?

Are you alone during your residency or is there another CRNA with you at all times that would be able to order blood products?

Thanks in advance if you could answer any of these questions. I know that in most surgeries, blood transfusions can be a common issue. However, I specifically am interested in outpatient settings (i.e. plastic surgery) where the need for blood products is minimal. I would of course face the rejection from many practices but would hope to find a doctor that can work with me in that HE or SHE would order the transfusion (if they feel it necessary) at their discretion while I treat with all other means necessary. Currently, I am not opposed to hanging a bag or administering blood products when it is ordered by the physician or requested by the patient. But I know I will not be comfortable ordering blood for my pt should I become a CRNA. However, if I was a CRNA and the surgeon ordered blood products I would not oppose his decision nor feel undermined in any way as would never think to impose my religious beliefs on another person.

I would do a bit more research with your elders and go as far as your C.O and D.O's. Remember it's not what the doctor ask you to do it's what you know what's right and wrong. I won’t go into it too much detail here but, your situation concerns me. I’m a third year med student that will specialize in bloodless surgery also a JW has it been tough it has. But just as my patients I have my moral and ethics, and if some cases i can't take then let it be. If you have questions I don't know how to send you a message privately but like I said talk to those brothers, even the hospital liaison committee. You might see things differently..............In human trials men are not excused simply by saying "I was just following orders".

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Larry Eitel
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