Atheist at Catholic hospital

Nurses Spirituality

Published

I was so excited to get a job at the largest healthcare system in my state. They have an excellent reputation, all of my peers enjoy working there, and I was offered great pay and great benefits. I knew it was a Catholic hospital, and even though I am an atheist I did not think that this was going to be an issue as I respect all religious beliefs and will aid my patients in any way possible with their spirituality. I thought the fact that I am a compassionate person would be enough but am second guessing this after the orientation today.

I really enjoyed the orientation and otherwise would have had a perfect perception of the system. I am not sure if I am being overly sensitive or not so please give me your opinions.

I was okay with the two prayers and one blessing that they performed as I discreetly declined to participate. The only issue I had was with the system stating that their system has all management titled "ministry leaders" and that they must provide healing through the power of Jesus. This makes me worried that in order to be promoted I would have to pretend to be Catholic? (Of course I would not be willing to do this and would just hide my lack of beliefs while I am here)

Specializes in hospice.

Ha ha....reminds me of the time we were walking in a mall parking lot with my in-laws and when a car came by too fast, my daughter who was 3 or 4 at the time yelled, "Douchebag!" My FIL looked directly at me, and yes, totally my fault from driving mouth. :facepalm:

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Not illegal to not promote at a religious institution. Unwed, pregnant workers have been fired at Catholic schools and upheld in court. If you want to get promoted, perhaps you're in the wrong place.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

I haven't read all of the responses.

I worked for a spell in a very large Catholic health system both in inpatient and in homecare/hospice settings.

At no time was I required to participate in religious ceremony or observance as a portion of my nursing care.

My professional status was not related in any way to my personal religious beliefs.

Good luck.

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I'm Catholic and this doesn't sound Catholic to me. Frankly, it sounds Pentecostal, but I digress.....

We have a sacrament of Anointing the Sick, but only a priest can administer it and it's not a guarantee of physical healing. It's more about spiritual healing, drawing close to God in a time of need, submitting to His will, and uniting our suffering with Christ's to help it become purifying and redemptive.

Titling all managers "ministry leaders" sounds off too. There are laypeople who lead ministries in the Church, but not every job is a ministry, even in a Catholic hospital. :confused:

Yes as a Catholic, the terms the OP stated don't even ring as Catholic to me. Has a non-denom/evangelical feel to it...

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I am an unabashed atheist and humanist and a pscyh nurse who feels that anyone who has distorted thought processes ( much like some of my patients ) such as believing in things that do not exist ( god , etc ) should disqualify them from working in the healthcare profession.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
I am an unabashed atheist and humanist and a pscyh nurse who feels that anyone who has distorted thought processes ( much like some of my patients ) such as believing in things that do not exist ( god , etc ) should disqualify them from working in the healthcare profession.

Now, now, you are just trying to stir up trouble.

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Specializes in Hospice.
Now, now, you are just trying to stir up trouble.

New member, first post, QED.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Yep, the old turd-in-the-punchbowl act. Gotta love it.

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Specializes in Peds, Neuro, Orthopedics.

I'm an atheist and refuse to work for any religious employer because I need birth control to eliminate my periods so I no longer suffer from agonizing dysmenorrhea. Why should I have to pay $400+ a year out of pocket? Infuriating!

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
I'm an atheist and refuse to work for any religious employer because I need birth control to eliminate my periods so I no longer suffer from agonizing dysmenorrhea. Why should I have to pay $400+ a year out of pocket? Infuriating!

OK, I'll bite.

I too am Atheist but I think your post says more about the American health care system than about religion.

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