An often overlooked barrier to abortion services is the limited availability of nursing staff to assist in abortion procedures. The stigmatization of health care workers involved in abortion services not only deters physicians from providing care, but deters nurses as well. However, abortion is not covered in most nursing school curriculum. Most nursing students graduate with little understanding of the full spectrum of reproductive choices.
Nurses are in a position to educate clients and are often looked to for support and guidance.
To address the inadequacy of abortion care in nursing school training, the Abortion Access Project has launched Nursing Students for Choice. Using the model developed by Medical Students for Choice, the project seeks to raise awareness and promote education about abortion in nursing schools. So far, we have established the first three chapters of NSFC at Northeastern University, Yale University, and the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. We have secured funding to expand this organizing in 1988. We will also sponsor a joint nursing students and medical students for choice regional conference for all interested students later this year.