Reciting nurse's pledge question

[FLNurse2015]

I was just told in class we'd be reciting the nurse's pledge before each class and at graduation. My issue with this is the first line.. has anyone else come across this issue? It's not a religious or privately funded school. I don't belong to a faith so pledging to a god makes me uncomfortable. How would you handle it?

Here is the pledge:

Before God and those assembled here, I solemnly pledge:

To adhere to the code of ethics of the nursing profession.

To cooperate faithfully with the other members of the nursing team and to carry out faithfully and to the best of my ability the instructions of the physician or the nurse who may be assigned to supervise my work.

I will not do anything evil or malicious, and I will not knowingly give any harmful drug or assist in malpractice.

I will not reveal any confidential information that may come to my knowledge in the course of my work.

And I pledge myself to do all in my power to raise the standards and the prestige of the practical nursing.

May my life be devoted to service, and to the high ideals of the nursing profession.

[Mrs.Priss]

I don't see how anyone is being forced to a particular way of "spiritual thinking!" are you being forced into spiritual activities when you spend money that says in God we trust?! It's just a pledge! I say, suck it up bc no one is forcing you to believe in anything. You're just repeating a word. Just my opinion! : ) hope all goes well!

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Crusty old bat here. . . .

I am surprised that a publicly funded school is allowed to refer to "God" in any context. I thought that was illegal.

On the other hand. I don't know how anyone can practice nursing for any length of time without a profound appreciation of the importance of spirituality. I've seen too many things that just didn't have any other explanation.

You don't have to believe in God (which ever one) to have spirituality...anyway, IMO reciting the pledge everyday before class is a waste of time. It wouldn't bother me though...remember the hoops and choosing your battles carefully. As time moves on you'll find that this is going to be the least of your worries.

[SummitRN, BSN, RN]

Mrs.Priss

By your reasoning, if they were asked to say a Muslim prayer everyday, that would not be forcing them to into a particular way of spiritual thinking and she should just say it and get on with her day.

To many Christians, swearing an oath or taking a pledge to any other god violates the 1st, 3rd, and 9th commandments!

To many Atheists, swearing an oath to any god violates their beliefs.

Some religions forbid swearing any oaths at all.

You prove nothing with your laughable claim that all is well because people use money with "In God We Trust" written on it. People have little choice and many find that phrase inappropriate to put on money.

[grownuprosie]

I think the OP should assess the region where she lives to see if it would be safe for her to bring it up. In some communities, "outing" yourself as a non-christian can lead to being ostracized or worse. If you live in a place like this, get your degree and get out of there! Your safety is the important thing here.

However, if you live an area where you do not think you are in any danger of the above, this could be a learning moment for your school administration. They may not know that asking non-christians to pledge to their god (or God, if you prefer) is offensive. I would discuss it with your classmates(if you feel safe doing so) and try to get a few supporters. Keep in mind that even people who don't mind the pledge may still support your right to not have to say it. (As they should, in my opinion)

[SE_BSN_RN, BSN]

Mrs.Priss

By your reasoning, if they were asked to say a Muslim prayer everyday, that would not be forcing them to into a particular way of spiritual thinking and she should just say it and get on with her day.

To many Christians, swearing an oath or taking a pledge to any other god violates the 1st, 3rd, and 9th commandments!

To many Atheists, swearing an oath to any god violates their beliefs.

Some religions forbid swearing any oaths at all.

You prove nothing with your laughable claim that all is well because people use money with "In God We Trust" written on it. People have little choice and many find that phrase inappropriate to put on money.

Maybe, but "In God We Trust" has been on our money for quite some time. Yes, you do have a choice....you can earn it and spend it, or don't. That's your choice. The country is deeply rooted in someone's idea of a God, whether one believes in any particular one. Doesn't matter.

[KB1975]

un 11 by

lvn2bsoon

the money we spend has "in god we trust".....do you not spend the same money that has something you disagree to on it?

funny you mention this, i was just about to say, don't we all use money? an doesn't it say in god we trust?

[grownuprosie]

funny you mention this, i was just about to say, don't we all use money? an doesn't it say in god we trust? hahah

"in god we trust" was actually added to paper money in 1956. it is younger than some of the posters on this board. it was a way to denounce atheism during the cold war because atheism was linked to communism at the time. so, no, the fact that "in god we trust" is on our money means nothing to this conversation.

http://www.treasury.gov/about/education/pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx

[KB1975]

1:30 am by

grownuprosie

so, no, the fact that "in god we trust" is on our money means nothing to this conversation.

actually it does apply, but i will not try to debate over it.

my opinion and your opinion.

i do not believe anyone should be forced to say the pledge (god, higher beings etc...), if it goes against their beliefs. i was simply saying we ignore the words on the money, skip over the words in the pledge that are offensive.

[Tragically Hip]

I'm saddened by the go-along-get-along comments, as if a student risks lynching for speaking out against an illegal, and to many people, offensive, activity. Nursing students aren't children, and they don't need daily indoctrination. Those who wish to say a daily, weekly, or hourly affirmation are welcome to do so either privately or in groups. They don't need my presence.

As a commenter above said, "under God" in the pledge of allegiance ad "In God we trust" on currency were the result of a lobbying effort by the Knights of Columbus in the mid-1950's. There is no question that the word "God" spelled with a capital "G" refers to the Abrahamic god of the Torah, bible, and Quran. The problem is that, according to the Second Amendment of the Constitution, the government is to have no part in the establishment of a religion.

The Supreme Court reconciled that idea by declaring God as mentioned (capital "G" and all, the English name of Yahweh) to be a cultural symbol and nothing more, which should be highly offensive to Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Zoroastrians. The fact that so little fuss was raised after the convoluted Court decision says something...interesting.

There are legislative mandates regarding what is printed on and stamped into currency. There is no such mandate that adult students in a professional program at a public college say any particular affirmation, or any affirmation at all. Such unnecessary oaths are an affront to Jehovah's Witnesses and others. Too bad for them? They should just suck it up? Mouth the words? Step outside the classroom?

Just because something is traditional does not mean that it is worth maintaining. In this case I'm talking about the imposition of one's spiritual beliefs on others in inappropriate contexts. In the OP's case, if the college is public, it's even more absurd. It's so hard for those in the majority to empathize with those in the minority. The prevailing attitude is, "suck it up and be quiet." If they really thought about it, I don't think religious people, those who really believe what they preach, would want people to robotically repeat things they may or may not agree with.

You can argue that the incident to which the OP refers may not be a huge deal, but it is symbolic of many such "traditions" that most Americans are blind to. I would hope that those who work in the caring professions might be more sensitive to it.

Anyone who interprets what I said as an anti-religious screed has gotten in wrong, and has completely misunderstood my point.

[SE_BSN_RN, BSN]

I'm saddened by the go-along-get-along comments, as if a student risks lynching for speaking out against an illegal, and to many people, offensive, activity. Nursing students aren't children, and they don't need daily indoctrination. Those who wish to say a daily, weekly, or hourly affirmation are welcome to do so either privately or in groups. They don't need my presence.

As a commenter above said, "under God" in the pledge of allegiance ad "In God we trust" on currency were the result of a lobbying effort by the Knights of Columbus in the mid-1950's. There is no question that the word "God" spelled with a capital "G" refers to the Abrahamic god of the Torah, bible, and Quran. The problem is that, according to the Second Amendment of the Constitution, the government is to have no part in the establishment of a religion.

The Supreme Court reconciled that idea by declaring God as mentioned (capital "G" and all, the English name of Yahweh) to be a cultural symbol and nothing more, which should be highly offensive to Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Zoroastrians. The fact that so little fuss was raised after the convoluted Court decision says something...interesting.

There are legislative mandates regarding what is printed on and stamped into currency. There is no such mandate that adult students in a professional program at a public college say any particular affirmation, or any affirmation at all. Such unnecessary oaths are an affront to Jehovah's Witnesses and others. Too bad for them? They should just suck it up? Mouth the words? Step outside the classroom?

Just because something is traditional does not mean that it is worth maintaining. In this case I'm talking about the imposition of one's spiritual beliefs on others in inappropriate contexts. In the OP's case, if the college is public, it's even more absurd. It's so hard for those in the majority to empathize with those in the minority. The prevailing attitude is, "suck it up and be quiet." If they really thought about it, I don't think religious people, those who really believe what they preach, would want people to robotically repeat things they may or may not agree with.

You can argue that the incident to which the OP refers may not be a huge deal, but it is symbolic of many such "traditions" that most Americans are blind to. I would hope that those who work in the caring professions might be more sensitive to it.

Anyone who interprets what I said as an anti-religious screed has gotten in wrong, and has completely misunderstood my point.

So, what happens to people who disagree about something, and speak out? She is possibly risking not being able to graduate. Who wants to take that risk? The pledge is a symbolic tradition that all nurses recite, unless they choose not to....like choosing to wear a cap, or choosing to wear all white. Why should the school change something that has probably been in place for a long time just because one person doesn't feel comfortable doing it?

If it is such an illegal activity, why do most nursing schools recite the original pledge? It's illegal for people to cross the border, too.....but I guess it's all a matter of opinion.

And Bible should be capitalized....

[grpman]

As a religious person I am trying to place myself in your shoes. I too would find it ridiculous to recite a pledge to something I don't believe in and would leave the phrase out that bothered me. That is very simple, doesn't draw attention, and yet lets your conscience be clear.

If I was trying to be political then I would do more.

What are you trying to accomplish?

[Christeena]

The pledge is called the Nightingale Pledge for Florence Nightingale written in 1893 by Lystra Gretter who was an instructor. The pledge is as follows....

"I solemnly pledge myself before God and presence of this assembly;

To pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully.

I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.

I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.

With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care."

However over the years this has been modified to not have God mentioned.

Hope this helps!