How do you incorporate faith into your daily nursing tasks?

Nurses Spirituality

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The question is pretty much self-explanatory. I'm getting my BSN in a faith-based, private university with their own hospital. I've observed that there's such a huge difference between nurses who incorporate their faith into their nursing job compared to others who do not. So in what ways, do you incorporate your faith into your work?

"I've observed that there's such a huge difference between nurses who incorporate their faith into their nursing job compared to others who do not."

Uhh... I've never seen a difference in nursing that's explained by if the nurse is religious or not. I don't believe in any gods or supernatural things but I care about my fellow human beings VERY much, and I know it's reflected in my nursing skills. I respect everybody's right to their own beliefs and traditions even though I don't believe in any religion/gods, and I am most certainly NOT an inferior caregiver because of this. I also attend (graduating in a few weeks) a religious nursing school, and while the school is wonderful and I don't have enough positive things to say them, I've learned to carry on their traditions and values with respect to nursing while being 100% science & rationality based myself.

Colossians 3:23 A Christian Attitude:

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily (cheerfully), as for the Lord, rather than for men."

Or work to serve your community, state, country, and planet. Work to the best of your ability, and never less than your full potential in life. Always behave professionally and show respect for others.

I would assume what I said would produce the same results as the bible phrase above, no?

i agree with kakamegamma-i in no way see how the op intentionally meant to be negative towards anyone. i think she would just like to know how to incorporate faith into her practice. I've thought about this once myself. Religion asks us to be patient, kind, respectfull and loving of all people-even on our worst, craziest days. If anything i think its harder to be a nurse who's trying to use her faith while at work. I can tell you that i wanna knock someone out almost every shift! lol But of course when I incorporate what Ive learned with my religion, it forces me to be kinder and more patient :)

So people without faith who feel like the want to "knock someone out" actually go through with it since they don't have "faith" to tell them not to?

Your argument makes little sense. People without faith or of different faiths are kind and patient as well.

Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.

I pray that God's light will shine through me in everything I do, and say. I pray for knowledge, and guidance, kindness, compassion for myself, my co-workers, every shift. I pray for every pt, and family that I will come into contact with that night. I try my very best to conduct myself in a way that would be pleasing to the Lord.

Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

Fribblet---it's hard to explain....personally, I have found that when I try to do anything on my own, without praying, without seeking wisdom, etc., I come up short. For me, it's a matter of letting God work in me and through me and if I don't consult Him or allow Him to work, I fail. Oh sure--I can be successful to a point on my own, but His best for me is far beyond any best I can give or do on my own. I don't know if that helps...as I said, it's hard to explain. I've noticed as well there is often a "certain something" when somene is practicing their faith in their work that is absent in other situations with folks who either don't have a faith or choose not to let it be part of their daily life. A "Sunday christan" so to speak.

Fribblet---it's hard to explain....personally, I have found that when I try to do anything on my own, without praying, without seeking wisdom, etc., I come up short. For me, it's a matter of letting God work in me and through me and if I don't consult Him or allow Him to work, I fail. Oh sure--I can be successful to a point on my own, but His best for me is far beyond any best I can give or do on my own. I don't know if that helps...as I said, it's hard to explain. I've noticed as well there is often a "certain something" when somene is practicing their faith in their work that is absent in other situations with folks who either don't have a faith or choose not to let it be part of their daily life. A "Sunday christan" so to speak.

How do you know how deep another person's faith goes? How are you able to judge how faithful a person truly is? Do you know what's in another person's heart?

Do people of deep faith who do horrible things also have the lord working through them?

Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

Friblet-

"So people without faith who feel like the want to "knock someone out" actually go through with it since they don't have "faith" to tell them not to?" I don't think pn5437 means that at all. I would say "of course not!" Each person chooses how to respond. A person without faith can choose to not knock someone out, just as easily as a person with faith can choose to knock someone out. As pn5437 said--when we remember what our faith teaches & follow those precepts, we are less likely to do that. It's about free will and choice to either "knock" or "not knock".

"Your argument makes little sense. People without faith or of different faiths are kind and patient as well." Indeed they are. I've met many.

Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).
Or work to serve your community, state, country, and planet. Work to the best of your ability, and never less than your full potential in life. Always behave professionally and show respect for others.

I would assume what I said would produce the same results as the bible phrase above, no?

Well...sure! The OP asked how "we" (each of us) incorporates faith (define however YOU like, as will I) in their daily nursing. I merely responded as to how I incorporate faith. Your results may vary.

I'm sure that the OP didn't intend to be offensive. People often make offensive remarks out of ignorance.

If prayer, meditation, or sacrificing chickens helps you in your nursing practice, by all means carry on. It doesn't make you a better nurse than I, however.

Sometimes I incorporate faith into my practice...as in I pray to God for strength to get me through the shift :). Oh you mean patients? Ask them if you can meet their spiritual needs in anyway...then do the best you can to meet them.

Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I work in a Catholic hospital and our core belief is RICE. Reverence, Integrity, Compassion, Excellence. I try to practice those beliefs while at work, because I truly believe them. We also have crucifixes everywhere and a rather large one right near my computer where I do my work. Jesus and I have some good conversations on bad days.:lol2:

Otherwise, I don't practice religion with my patients. If they want to pray, then I will pray with them. I just try to give reverence to life, my practice and hope the crosses aren't spinning by the end of a crazy shift.

Specializes in MPCU.

I like to pray. I pray for the things that I already have been given, but don't have the sense to use. I pray, everyday before work that I remember that the patient's health is most important; that I don't mess-up; that I know that my little stuff had little to do with the patient getting better; that I remember that I'm part of a team; that I'm grateful for the times that I remember the fact that i'm just privileged to be there at bedside and not in the bed...etc.

Others use different spiritual interventions. Prayer is just what works for me.

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