Common use of Conscientious Objection Clause in Contracts

Conscientious Objection. a. The rights of patients to receive necessary nursing care and the obligation of the County to render such care must be recognized and respected. In the case of therapeutic abortions or family planning counseling, the nursing profession accepts the obligation of providing competent nursing care as a major responsibility; however, it is recognized that a Registered Nurse may hold sincere moral or religious beliefs which require the nurse in good conscience to refuse participation in such procedure or counseling. b. The facility agrees that a nurse may, except in an emergency situation where the patient's needs will not allow for personnel substitution, refuse to participate in therapeutic abortion procedures or to give family planning counseling, and will not be subject to coercion, censure, unreasonable transfer, unreasonable reassignment or discipline by reason of such refusal. A Registered Nurse who has an assignment where participation in therapeutic abortions or family planning counseling routinely occurs and who conscientiously objects to such participation, shall notify the Director of the Health and Human Services Department of this position in writing and must decide whether or not to request transfer to another assignment. c. In emergency situations where the immediate nature of the patient's needs will not allow for substitution, the patient's right to receive the necessary nursing care shall take precedence over the exercise of the nurse's individual beliefs and rights. In such cases, the hospital shall arrange for substitution at the earliest possible opportunity.