Would You Pray if your Patient asked?

[LasVegasRN]

If a patient asked you to pray with or for them at the bedside, would you?

I had this discussion with some other nurses and the responses were interesting. Some said they would have no problem, others said it was too personal a request for a patient to ask, and others said they would call the chaplain as they felt it is a chaplain function only.

I witnessed one occurence where a patient asked his nurse to pray with him. Without hesistation, she took his hand and prayed a very nice non-denominational prayer. I realize not everyone can or might not want to do this, but it really brought solace to that patient.

Your thoughts?

[Y2KRN]

YES

[LasVegasRN]

Goodness, what a turn this thread took!

All I can say regarding the agnostic/atheist nurses is that if a patient asks for them to say a prayer on their behalf when that patient is unable to do so on their own that you will make the effort to find someone QUICKLY who can. However, if I were that patient, I'd feel that nurse abandoned me in my greatest time of need. I know... I know.. shouldn't discuss religion & politics, BUT I'm quite sure (as do I, but no need to answer) there are patients who would wonder how someone could go into a healing profession without having a spiritual base. AGAIN, no need to answer this, but just MHO. :chair:

[bigred]

Absolutely.

[micro, RN]

lasvegasrn.............I truly think a good person/NURSE.....OR A GOOD PERSON/nurse...........

as sometimes as we know time is of the essence.............would not let their belief system interfere with the patient's request.........because there is not the always the time to get someone else...........

this is what I believe and practice..................

amen.................

[nightingale, RN]

When I first became a nurse I was told nurses enter the profession for a lot of reasons. Now, after 4 years of nursing I understand this.

We, as professionals do our best with what we have to work with. I believe strongly that spirituality is part of the basics of assessment;it is an important component in healing.

I started out wanting to comment on how handy those little avatars are. One little picture can say what we can not put into words... I find it so frustrating that some of us are almost apologizing for having strong views about our faith. Forgive me if this sounds strong but why is it we need to be sheepish about this component of health care and meeting its' needs?

B.

[Agnus]

I myself border on agnostic. I have studied various spriitual and religious systems for many years.

I have asked others to pray for me. At times I didn't even believe myself that there was anyone to pray to or that prayers were real. However, when I have asked I figured it can't hurt. I expected the person to pray in their own tadition. Often I'd say this when I knew the person was on their way to church/temple. Or when I knew the person prayed frequently. Always the person's face lights up and they smile when I ask this. It seems to do something for religious people to request this.

Some times I have really felt that I needed the aid of prayer. I often tell people they are in my prayers. Though I do not kneel and pray words to a personal deity. I do pray in my fashion.

There has been much scientific backed study that says prayer has a profound effect on healing even if the person was prayed for by others without thier knowledge. There fore I cannot dispute it's value in nursing.

I don't know if there is a God. Though I suspect there may be something. I don't know what God is. At the very least belief in a God has strong psychological benefits on people.

When I have been asked to pray with patients they have always recognized that I may not share their traditions beliefs or denomination and when I did pray in their tradition (remember my religious education) they were surprised. Generally patients and families do not expect me to lead a prayer in thier tradition. They have told me pray in my own, what ever that may be.

Occasionally they wanted prayes in their own tradition and would lead them.

[donmurray]

Assumptions again! Religion per se has no monopoly on spirituality.

[nightingale, RN]

A certain amount of overlap. Interesting to hear some interpretation on this.

----------------

According to Webster's:

Spirituality:

sensitivity or attachment to religious values

the quality or state of being spiritual

Spirit:

1 : of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit : INCORPOREAL

2 a : of or relating to sacred matters b : ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal

3 : concerned with religious values

4 : related or joined in spirit

5 a : of or relating to supernatural beings or phenomena b : of, relating to, or involving spiritualism : SPIRITUALISTIC

Religion:

1 a : the state of a religious b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance

2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

- re-li-gion-less adjective

B.:chair: lol... oh no now I am doing it!

[MayeRN]

I would pray for a client if asked and often pray for clients when not asked.

I agree with the posts that have said that it is a part of nursing care - especially when we are suppose to be caring for the whole person - this includes their spiritual needs.

For those who have a strong faith in God, pray is comforting. I have prayed in the presence of patients but have also ensured that a minister, priest, etc. was involved in their care. I find this a very important aspect in the care of palliative clients.

[LasVegasRN]

Micro: well put. That is my hope of all nurses, no matter what faith and in the absence of faith.

Nightengale1998: ruh roh. Now you've done it.

Agnus: I'm going to really be politically incorrect and say this, and know it comes from my heart, from one nurse to another - Dear Father, there is a person here who needs to feel your touch and know of your love. Please let them know that with you and through you that all things are possible. Please touch them in your special way and help them to feel your presence so that we may all know and truly appreciate your grace. Amen. :kiss

[Cameo]

I'm a student, and I already know that I'll be praying for my patients before they ask--and I hope they'll ask, and I'll be able to tell them I had already!

Folks, I LOVED reading how many of you pray with your patients! God Bless!

[willie2001]

Yes, I would pray for and with a patient if asked. I was taught that a good nurse ministers to the whole person, not just the the physical side. Prayer can be very comforting and healing. I have even seen a couple of our docs pray at a patient's bedside. :)