Not religious and working in Hospice?

nutella, MSN, RN · Apr 19, 2016

Hi,
While doing my clinicals for CNA I was on the hospice floor. I'm not really religious and was wondering if it would be akward to work in hospice. We are supposed to be there as support for family members. If a resident's family asked you to pray with them how would you handle it? This can be for Nurses or CNAs as I am a nursing student. I haven't been in the situation but just wanted to know your advice on it.

Hospice has spiritual support / chaplains.

I have worked in home hospice and nobody ever asked me to pray with them.

At times people were praying or having a priest over and so on and I would just wait respectfully. Sometimes I used that time for my own reflection.

You do not have to be religious to work in hospice although I can imagine that if the hospice belongs to a religious institution you might encounter more "pressure" to join in prayer.

There is a difference between religious and spiritual - people can be spiritual without being religious or belonging /supporting organized religion.

Eleven011 · Apr 19, 2016

As long as you are respectful and supportive of their religion and beliefs, it really doesn't matter what yours are. You are there to help them in any way you can. I am a Christian. If one of my patients was Jewish/Hindu/Buddist, I would pray with them however they needed. It is not awkward (maybe just in the fact that i wouldn't understand it), nor does it take away from my beliefs. If they were atheist, perhaps we could sing, or read poetry. Whatever it takes to make them feel comfortable.

verene, MSN · Apr 19, 2016

The need to respect and be mindful of the beliefs of others is important but patients and coworkers do not need to know your beliefs or even if you have them. As a hospice CNA my role in providing spiritual support is providing compassionate care, being willing to listen to my patients & families with out judgement and to refer to spiritual care team (chaplains) if needed. I have never prayed with a patient or family member and would not be comfortable doing so, though I have remained quietly in the room while prayers are said. I've only had patients press me about about my beliefs a couple of times but I've always focused the conversation on them, their beliefs, and their issues and made arrangements for a member of the spiritual care team to follow up.

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2016

I am a pagan and I work palliative care. I haven't had any issues. I care for all my patients whatever their beliefs. I have also "prayed" with them. I just close my eyes and listen. You don't need to be religious to work hospice