Are you a nurse with "alternative" spiritual beliefs?

Nurses Spirituality

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If so, have you gotten grief from coworkers or patients because of it? Tell your stories here!!I'm pagan, and I'm pretty low key about it. I have nothing against Jesus. If he existed, I think he must have been a pretty cool dude. But, I don't consider myself a Christian per se. I've worn jewelry that represents my faith and gotten raised eyebrows and a few comments here and there, but nothing I can't handle. Patients have been pretty ok with it but maybe that's the pre-op drugs doing their job, lol.

Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

I don't characterize any of my beliefs as "alternative." This is because that implies that something else is mandatory or nearly so, at least the way I read it. All of the things I believe have a place in the doctrine and/or practice of your major world religions, but I choose not to belong to any of them. The reason is somewhat of a reaction to childhood trauma and years of abuse. I worked hard within myself, to build my own character, to see people as they are, to have the ability to stand up for myself and others, and for a while, just to have the ability to talk to people. I will not give, even in word, my "soul" to belong to ... a bunch of people who can, and history has shown they will, turn on the weak in a moment's notice. I do willingly share my soul with my husband, but that's about as far as it goes.

So there have been some really interesting conversations at times with patients and their family members. Very pushy christians are always happy to hear there's a lost soul they should be praying for, and I tell them that if they will pray for me to have peace then the patients will all probably get better care. Sometimes I tell folks I am angry at God but I don't hold it against his people. Sometimes we just let sleeping dogs lie and don't discuss it at all, that's what I really prefer. One time a lady asked me, if I am a christian, and I said, omigosh, doesn't it show?? I washed all the black fungus off your mom's dentures and cleaned behind her ears, and did much more than was needed to make her feel comfortable and loved. She hugged me and that was that.

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I'm an Atheist, but I don't have a problem with anyone discussing their beliefs as long as it isn't in a preachy way. I cannot stand when someone feels the need to explain how THEIR EXACT belief (or non-belief, preachy Atheists are just as bad) is the only thing that is correct. I actually love learning about different religions if it can be done in a respectful manner.

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Everyone in my class was presented with a Gideon's Bible (New Testament and psalms only) as a graduation gift. I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but the New Testament means nothing at all to me. I was a little bit offended, as the school is not a Christian school. It's public.

This isn't exactly a violation of church and state. I accepted graciously. But I was a little miffed. What about the Muslims, Jews, Buddists, non-believers, etc? Why assume that everyone in the class needes a Bible? This wasn't really a gift. It was an opportunity for the Gideons to spread their "Word." That's what really bothered me. I don't need their, "Word" thank you very much. I have my own spirituality.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.
Everyone in my class was presented with a Gideon's Bible (New Testament and psalms only) as a graduation gift. I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but the New Testament means nothing at all to me. I was a little bit offended, as the school is not a Christian school. It's public.

This isn't exactly a violation of church and state. I accepted graciously. But I was a little miffed. What about the Muslims, Jews, Buddists, non-believers, etc? Why assume that everyone in the class needes a Bible? This wasn't really a gift. It was an opportunity for the Gideons to spread their "Word." That's what really bothered me. I don't need their, "Word" thank you very much. I have my own spirituality.

Unusual approach on behave of the school to say the least....just saying~

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.
Everyone in my class was presented with a Gideon's Bible (New Testament and psalms only) as a graduation gift. I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but the New Testament means nothing at all to me. I was a little bit offended, as the school is not a Christian school. It's public.

This isn't exactly a violation of church and state. I accepted graciously. But I was a little miffed. What about the Muslims, Jews, Buddists, non-believers, etc? Why assume that everyone in the class needes a Bible? This wasn't really a gift. It was an opportunity for the Gideons to spread their "Word." That's what really bothered me. I don't need their, "Word" thank you very much. I have my own spirituality.

What? That is so bizarre and inappropriate. They could do a lot more good by giving out NCLEX prep books!

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I'm an implicit atheist, but make it a rule not to discuss my views on religion with coworkers and patients. When someone feels the need to discuss religion with me, I usually just listen/smile/nod without saying anything. I have learned over the years that it's just easier that way, as people in our society are very wary of nonbelievers.

When I am NOT in the workplace, however, I voice my thoughts much more freely.

ElizaW, I am shocked that your public school would allow that. How incredibly offensive!

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I'm a wiccan and actually just starting a BSN program next week. I never take my pentacle off really. I live in a very small town, and used to take quite a bit of grief. Since I'm still up north, I do worry that I may take grief from other students or instructors while at school. =/

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The dress code at my school did not allow us to wear any visible jewelry around our necks while at clinicals. Do you know the rules at your school?

I do worry that I may take grief from other students or instructors while at school. =/
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ZeroNight, I admire your principle, but must advise that it is best, while in nursing school, to fly low and stealth on *all* fronts. Don't stick out in dress or behavior, most instructors are very conservative and don't give a fig for fairness or tolerance. Remember, the true pentacle is in your heart and in your behavior, and once you are through school, you will be able to help people, make money, and fly whatever flag you like. My thoughts will be with you.

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Vajrayana Buddhist, here, working in hospice as well. Pushing aside doctrine and dogma, most people believe in loving-kindness, so when others want prayers and such, it is pretty easy to translate any religion into that, while closing the mouth and shaking the head.

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Wow, I'm pleasantly surprised at the number of pagan nurses in this thread! I'm pagan as well, and still a student. The only time religion and spirituality has ever come up in the context of school was in an assignment in my Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness class, but I didn't explicitly say I was pagan. I go to school in a very *liberal* area of MA, and I get the feeling it wouldn't have been a huge issue...

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Specializes in Geriatrics/LTC.

I believe in a higher power and hold life and nature in high regard (not like the hippies would :p), I hold life as sacred but am not defined or devoted to any one religion, just kind of my own path!

With that being said, I respect and observe other people's religious beliefs, like if they say a prayer, I'll bow my head and say amen and what not.

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