Do You Have To Be Religious/Spiritual to be a good Nurse?

Columnist · Nov 27, 2012

But there are those moments when I have felt very cut off from the other sides of myself. The sides of me that have wanted to be far more than just the labels provided within the institution I am in but that they seemed to work really hard to keep out of the forefront.

What labels are you referring to?

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2012

I went to a Catholic university as someone who was raised Catholic but divorced organized religion in high school. I honestly found the nursing school the most non-religious part of the entire institution. We brought condoms donated from Planned Parenthood with us to Central America and did teaching on them with residents in the villages we worked in. The graduate school used to teach NP students in the Women's Health Program to teach Prostitutes how to put condoms on with their mouths. Actually, when I applied to go on the community health clinical experience in Central America, one of the questions I was asked in the interview was "do you have any religious beliefs that would preclude you from teaching about sexual health related matters?" I think if someone said yes, they wouldn't have been chosen for the trip even though it was sponsored by our Catholic college because sexual health was of utmost importance to the village/clinic we would be working in and it was expected that we would do teaching/projects on it.

So, to answer the OP, no you do not need to be religious to be a good nurse. You learn how to fake it. I have listened to parents tell me stories from the Bible to prove how they knew God wouldn't take their precious child from them (said child died less than a year later) and have helped facilitate countless chaplaincy referrals and participation in a "healing" ceremony for an actively dying child. I don't think any of my patients knew that I thought all of this stuff was a load of bull- it was just important to them that I helped them with their spiritual needs.

Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 27, 2012

What labels are you referring to?

Well, it doesn't have a direct link to nursing. But the one that stands out to me the most has been "Christian heretic", back when I was a Christian. I was called that in my Theology class.

JDZ344 · Nov 27, 2012

Well, it doesn't have a direct link to nursing. But the one that stands out to me the most has been "Christian heretic", back when I was a Christian. I was called that in my Theology class.

Well, isn't that just Christian? I went to a Church service once where the pastor said "Never go around telling anyone you are a Christian until you can act like one outside of this Church".

I'm sorry people were so rude to you!

SE_BSN_RN, BSN · Nov 27, 2012

lol, i just recalled, how often, i, as an atheist, have even comforted religious ppl facing death,
without ever revealing i am not in their boat.
For example,
once, a patient of mine, a kinda tough biker dude, who was facing death, and i had developed a very good bond/trust. He asked me if i believed in god. (again, this is not an uncommon question in the critical care areas of a hospital, and does not reflect the pt wants to know, instead, it usually indicates a need for THEM to talk about THEIR ideas or worries or concerns or joys).
I replied, "do you?"
and he answered he did, but, that he had not ever been to church for decades, and he felt he had sinned quite a bit in his life, and he went on to say, that he felt he would probably go to hell.
He was most obviously afraid of hell.
I told him, something like, "I don't know you super well, Bill, but, you sure seem to have a very good heart, and i'd imagine, that if there is a god, it'd be a perfect god, and a perfect god could see the good in you. You must have done something right in your life, as your family adores you. Near as i can tell,you seem way too kind to be sent to hell, but, if this is a concern on your mind, maybe it'd be best if i send for a chaplain, who can further help you discuss this?"
stuff like that. Bill never realized i was an atheist.
hint: my advice, is, do not reveal yourself to be an atheist to your coworkers, either,
as they will treat you differently. For real, they will. Long after you have forgotten you ever told them, they will bring it up, "Oh, but, you are an atheist" here and there, which always surprized me.
also,
they'll pepper you with all the usual questions, like,
"Well, if you are an atheist, why don't you just go kill ppl?"
Thing is, to the Original Poster above,
you still have your heart. You will feel your heart speak to you, just like any other nurse, throughout the day. No gods required. You will sob, just like everyone else, when the baby dies.
YOu will feel joy and awe, when the child learns to walk on that prosthetic.
You will ache, when your patient's daughter never does show up that night.
You will feel wonder and thrills, when a last ditch effort does work.
no gods are required to share in those moments. I say, gods are optional.
Just be yourself, follow your own heart, your own inner moral code, and the honor to be present at so many huge moments in so many ppl's lives. Those moments are not about you, it's their moment.

Jean Marie, I have to tell you this is wonderful! I love love love your reply post. And I am a Christian, or,....a believer...and I, like you, do not reveal that to my co-workers, or patients, or families, unless they ask, because, also, as you said, they will treat you (me) differently. I have seen it both ways, Christian belivers, and nonbelievers, being treated differently because they have different beliefs.

OP, to answer your question....no. At the end of the day you are responsible for that patient, their well-being, and yours. As you go through your career you will learn how to handle situations that will arise, and you'll leave the shift knowing you did all you could, or you will leave it with just a little bit more knowledge and appreciation than you started with.

NurseDirtyBird · Nov 27, 2012

To echo others' thoughts, your spirituality/faith does not make any difference in your therapeutic relationship with your patients, because it's not about you. It's about your patients.

There are many nurses who are religious and/or spiritual, and feel that it lends a deeper meaning to their nursing practice. There are many nurses (including myself) who are atheist/agnostic and are also excellent nurses. The key is respect. I expect respect for my beliefs, just as I respect others' beliefs.

But like Jean Marie said, it's easier said than done in the workplace. I work for a faith-based organization, and while it's certainly not a requirement to be of that particular religion (and the organization has done a very good job of not alienating employees of any faith or lack thereof), I've still found it easier to navigate the waters of office culture by keeping my mouth shut about my non-belief. I don't discuss politics or religion at work. Occasionally it comes up with patients, and I'll second Jean Marie's strategy for dealing with it, because it works.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Nov 27, 2012

Well, if this hasn't already been addressed by others, what does "certainly not Catholic" mean?!

That being said. I work with a couple of people who think if you're not "in your face" Christian, that makes you not even a good person, much less nurse, and I REALLY don't agree with that logic! In a nutshell, no, I don't think you have to be religious or spiritual (although in my mind, these CAN be 2 very different things) to be a good nurse. I know of a very atheists who kick serious booty as being a nurse, so they would blow that theory right out of the water!

I'm struggling with this to an extent. I go to a deeply religious school and yes, I hate it. At times I feel as though it's a major requirement to be religious in order to function as a nurse and I didn't always feel this way but this is what I keep seeing. I like myself, know what I like and dislike, what I want to do, where I'd like to go, but I'm not religious (certainly not Catholic) and the only link I have to Christianity is my liking and connection to the Bible. My "spirituality" is derived from my ability to trust myself unconditionally. But being here has made me wonder if I have to be solidly spiritual/religious in order to thrive in the world of nursing.
Also, I'm not one for groupthink and dogma and at times I feel as though many of my peers are and the professors seem to expect it. I don't kiss up to authority figures and treat everyone as a person regardless of status (all people, as far as I'm concerned, deserve respect and if I unable to provide that, I avoid them). But it drives me crazy the way they behave and they find me to be very antisocial/unsocial and distant. I'm none of these things, but just feel as though I'm fully capable of thinking, feeling, and acting on my own and for myself. Yes, I ask for help when I need it and I am friendly, but I don't feel as though I have to put my desires on the back burner if I don't have to.
I'm struggling guys and really just feeling uncomfortable with all the feedback I keep getting. I'm about to be in the real world and I want to make sure that IT is not like my college experience.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Nov 27, 2012

Um, you're going to find this wherever you go "in the real world". Yes, even in nursing. "not willing to submit to superiors" could be a potential problem area for you---wherever you may end up =(

I'm respectful with everyone because treating people with a certain level of respect seems deserved to me. But I'm not willing to submit to superiors, especially if it goes against what I feel to be right. There were those moments where I felt they expected me to yield if for no other reason than they were of a certain status. My hope is that this is not required for this field

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Nov 27, 2012

I'm very sorry that nursing school at this particular institute of higher education was not the experience you'd hoped for. However, it usually stands to reason that people attend a certain type of college to immerse themselves in a particular culture--ie: a faith-based university tends to attract those who are absolute in their faith and are hungry to learn more about it. Not EVERYONE, of course, but I think you'll find more often than not that this is the trend.

I'm glad you're able to speak with someone about your feelings, I hope they are able to help.

I've been talking to a counselor on this topic because you're right, I do feel hurt by my experiences. My peers made the right decision for their faith (most went to religious schools all their lives) but I did not. I chose this school for the education and with the belief that I would come here and meet people who, even though they came from a certain background, were willing to move beyond their comforts to explore. Instead, their faith became further established while I was...ostracized. For many here, their faith is a major part of their nursing practice. The teachings and famous nurses mentioned and that we learn here on nursing practice often stem from the dogma. In fact, I have had many professors, good nurses, who have stated that their religious beliefs are a firm part of their practice. As an individual who came from a Christian background, but who feels very little connection to the dogma and ideologies, I do have a hard time, dealing with self-doubt (what I know of nursing comes from this school) and wondered if I could in fact be a good nurse despite my lack of desire to partake in religion at this point. My question has been answered here on this thread though.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2012

No, one does not have to be religious nor even spiritual to be a good nurse.
I am a lifelong atheist, and have been very effective at comforting all types of ppl, facing all types of issues, and have even worked hospice.
I learned decades ago, that my being an out atheist at work, is not helpful. I was very young, i made mistakes at first. Atheists (not that YOU are an atheist, but, i am) are not usually trusted by non-atheists. Once or twice, i was even re-assigned at the patient request, when he asked me if i believed in god, and i replied no. He said he couldn't trust an atheist.
That is when i learned how to respond in a more therapeutic way. Each person has to find their own way, but, i think being non-spiritual, could be similar to a religious person caring for a person of another faith. I'd imagine, or hope, that say, a christian nurse, in caring for a Jewish or Muslim patient, for example, would be able to honor and respect that patient, even though they do not worship the same gods.
Imo, it's kinda like that as an atheist.
I step over their gods all day long. It's surprising, how often a nurse gets asked, "Nurse, do you believe in Jesus/God/Lord,?" Turns out, the patient usually does not want to know,
and when they ask this, they are more hoping for a springboard for their own self to discuss their beliefs, or how their beliefs are helping them in this crisis.
I have close pal, who is an atheist doctor, and he and i chuckled, in the combined 94 years of medical service between us, not once, has any patient ever noticed, we do NOT actually answer the question. For real, the patients don't even notice. and not one of our coworkers knows either one of us is godless, either.
I am not "out" AT WORK. I myself rather wish, that ppl left politics and gods out of their workplaces, but, i step over these topics. Frankly, i dislike being ostracized by others for having a different opinion, and i honestly do not have time to have debates with either coworkers or patients. In fact, i think it'd be rather unhelpful, to debate a patient, unless in a joking fashion. Each person has a right to their own beliefs. (even me)
I simply find another way to reply. I reply with remarks like, "Is your faith very important to you?" and after they've went on for a while, i change subject gently, or, if it seems appropriate, offer to summon a preacher/minister, etc.
If they ask, "What church do you go to?" this is usually code for, "I want to tell you about MY church!" so instead of answering, i usually say something like, "What church do you belong to?" and rapidly follow up, some other question about that church, "Is that a large church?" or "How long have you been a member there?" or "Must feel comforting that so many are praying for you, they must really care about you."
I do not ever lie. I don't partake in religious rituals, such as prayer circles around the bed, etc. That is the one line i won't cross, in some small way, to be true to my own self, however small and silent that might be. Instead, i look at my watch, and say, "Oh, i have to go pass meds/change a dressing/call a doc/check on patient" something, and leave room.
This moment is not about ME.
This moment is about my patient.
WHATEVER comforts my patient, is what i want to support, whether or not, i believe in that god.

I do believe in God and I could not have said this better myself. WELL SAID!!!!!!!!!!!

OP.....I think you choice of school is what influences their perspective on things. I make it a point. I don't discuss politics or religion. My business is my business......I don't enter the political discussions here....I find them exhausting and futile. People are going to believe what they want to believe....that is their right. My job is to care for them and make them feel better.

You don't have to be religious to be a nurse but you need to be respectful of others beliefs when caring for them.

Good Luck!!!!

Guest343211 · Nov 27, 2012

Personally I think it can help, so long as you are not judgmental toward others that are of differing faiths and such. Then again, I have met a good number of judgmental atheists and agnositics, so that can go either way too.

The idea is that being in touch with yourself spiritually speaking can hopefully help you to better appreciate empathy and insight into spirituality and tenderness toward such things in others. There are other things, but I'd start with that. And yes, you can be of no particular faith and have empathy and compassion, but there's a close relationship with spirutual and emotional dynamics IMHO. Of course most people are more spiritually sensitive or curious than what they are willing to accept. That too is interesting to me.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Nov 27, 2012

being spiritual and being religious are different. To answer your question, you do not have to be religious, but you will not be effective as a nurse if you do not respect the spiritual side of others. Can you change schools so you can concentrate on nursing, not religion?