by Cersei Morrow

Created on: July 23, 2008

I had just moved with my boyfriend 2 hours away from home. He had gotten a job for a major engineering corporation. In the throes of love and passion, I quit my job and moved with him. I had only worked as a nurse in one dinky little rural hospital, I was 22 years old, and the "big city" hospitals scared me. I stuck with applying for the doctors office jobs, somewhere that wouldn't be too intimidating.

The ad stated "Pro-choice doctor's office seeks LPN". The pay wasn't too bad, so I called the number and was set up with an interview the next day. Naively I assumed the pro choice meant they gave referrals to Planned Parenthood or something. When I arrived I realized this wasn't just a doctor's office. It was an abortion clinic.

I've always leaned toward the pro choice side of things, but had never considered working in an abortion clinic. But I was here, I had an interview. I took a deep breath and said aloud to myself "okay, let's do this". As I approached the unmarked building within this huge office complex, I noticed the lone protester. He stood silently about 40 yards away holding a sign bearing a Bible verse. He nodded in my direction and continued his silent protest. This man would become a constant in my morning routine, he stood on the street everyday with his poster board, rain or shine.

I entered the lobby, which looked like any other doctor's office waiting room. As the Director of Nursing looked over my resume she gave me a quizzical look, "Um, you went to Catholic schools and you worked in a convent . . . you know we perform abortions here, right?"

Great.

She was probably contemplating how quickly she could call security as she scanned me for bulges in my sweater indicating a concealed semi-automatic weapon. "I was raised Catholic, but I'm fine with abortion. Well, I'm not fine with it . . . but, um, I'm pro-choice." Did I mention my amazing interviewing skills? She gave me the strangest of looks and took me on a tour of the facility.

The clinic employed armed security, I was assured that the main protester I saw that morning was the only constant presence. Other protesters would show up on major holidays and weekends, however by law they were not allowed onto the property and with a few exceptions, were well behaved. Any concerns for safety were taken very seriously, and that was never an issue as long as I was there.

The clinic was a complete women's health center, they provided pelvic exams, mammograms, birth control counseling, and outpatient tubal

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