How to drop subtle hints with my nursing students about faith.

[HappyWife77]

Hi all! I am a new clinical nursing instructor and am wondering how to drop hints if possible about having faith. Especially as these are future nurses. I know that carrying the love of Christ shines bright and that in of itself is pretty awesome and an awesome testimony. Occasionally when they get stressed out about exams ill say..." besides studying now would be a great time to learn how to pray about things that concern you...and trust God. "

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

How about do not do it....school is no place for religion/superstition...whatever you want to call it...Fear? Nursing is about human beings not mythical ones....actually this post summed it up rather nicely: "This question honestly shocks me. I'd expect an adult professional to know better. I would find any mention of any religion highly offensive. I would go monkey poop if you even hinted at it and I'd complain to anyone who would listen, and I'd keep complaining up the ladder until someone did listen. It is completely inappropriate. I would hope one would be disciplined and possibly fired depending upon what was said. There is no place for that sort of thing in secular schools of higher learning. None." Thanks Blue Devil....

[CyndleT319]

I once had a professor tell me I was only allowed to drink water in her class because she hated carbonated drinks. She would only let us have water and green tea. That is called forcing someone's beliefs on another person.

VOICING your beliefs TO another person is not forcing them on someone. The prior is wrong and inappropriate, the latter is not.

[manusko]

How about do not do it....school is no place for religion/superstition...whatever you want to call it...Fear? Nursing is about human beings not mythical ones....actually this post summed it up rather nicely: "This question honestly shocks me. I'd expect an adult professional to know better. I would find any mention of any religion highly offensive. I would go monkey poop if you even hinted at it and I'd complain to anyone who would listen and I'd keep complaining up the ladder until someone did listen. It is completely inappropriate. I would hope one would be disciplined and possibly fired depending upon what was said. There is no place for that sort of thing in secular schools of higher learning. None." Thanks Blue Devil....[/quote']

If you read the whole post then you would have known that the OP decided to take everyone's advice not to openly share. Calling someone's religion a superstition or just plain fear is also inappropriate and uncalled for.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

This question honestly shocks me. I'd expect an adult professional to know better. I would find any mention of any religion highly offensive. I would go monkey poop if you even hinted at it and I'd complain to anyone who would listen, and I'd keep complaining up the ladder until someone did listen. It is completely inappropriate. I would hope one would be disciplined and possibly fired depending upon what was said. There is no place for that sort of thing in secular schools of higher learning. None.

There are plenty of reputable and prestigious private secular schools that integrate religion into their programs.

On July 6th the OP stated....

Jul 6 by HappyWife77 Yes I now realize I was WAY off. I am aware just because my walk with God has been amazing....doesn't mean I have to draw on it to give/promote to others. I will teach and support nursing skills. They're there to learn and be comfortable and be encourage in their abilities. And their choice of faith or no faith is between them and whosoever they choose or not choose. Its none of my business and my faith walk is no one elses business. Keep it on the task at hand!! I am so grateful for the support and advice that Allnurses.com provides. I have only made that one comment and it was while walking to our cars after clinicals and I was approached by two students that were getting nervous over exams. I even said that's what I've done in my schooling is prayed it thru... I've even listened to book of Proverbs( wisdom)on audiobible while sleeping and have never received less than above perfect score( including all possible points and extra credit) in every class. This is my story not yours... it worked for me. But I am new -I asked and am heeding the advice. No Harm done No foul. Thanks so much for responding I am re-grounded. We need each other.Happy Nursing!

I admire people who can heed the advice and experience of those around them.

[OCNRN63, RN]

And this is why the world is in such disarray. Smh.

Whose religion do you suggest should be promoted?

[lovenotwar14]

"In God we trust" not one religion over another.

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

Hmmmm.

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

"In God we trust" not one religion over another.

One only needs to read Spinoza for possibly the best definition of "God"

[nursinghopeful2013]

I understand everyone has a different preference but maybe prayer can be done outside the school on a volunteer basis before a big test i would love that and would attend every time :)

[elkpark]

I once had a professor tell me I was only allowed to drink water in her class because she hated carbonated drinks. She would only let us have water and green tea. That is called forcing someone's beliefs on another person.

VOICING your beliefs TO another person is not forcing them on someone. The prior is wrong and inappropriate, the latter is not.

If the person doing the "voicing" is in a position of power over the other person, like a nursing instructor talking to a nursing student, then, yes, it is forcing your beliefs on someone. The coercion is built in as a function of the power imbalance inherent in the relationship.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

And it's not wrong to kick someone out of their teaching position for they're sexual preference or world view? But it's right to kick them out and cost them their livelihood for their religious affiliation. Explain that logic to me, please. It makes no sense to me.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if its not your own. You want your opinion to not be offended, but what about me being offended by your opinion? It's a two-way street.

It isn't right to kick someone out of their teaching position for their world view or sexual preference, as far as I'm concerned. Nor for their religious affiliation. However, anyone who wants to risk their professional position in order to preach their world view, religious affiliation or sexual preference is asking to be fired. The concern isn't their views, it's inflicting their views on others. Many born again Christians -- or religious fundamentalists in general -- do not seem to understand that others find it offensive when they preach at us.

[veggie530]

It isn't right to kick someone out of their teaching position for their world view or sexual preference, as far as I'm concerned. Nor for their religious affiliation. However, anyone who wants to risk their professional position in order to preach their world view, religious affiliation or sexual preference is asking to be fired. The concern isn't their views, it's inflicting their views on others. Many born again Christians -- or religious fundamentalists in general -- do not seem to understand that others find it offensive when they preach at us.

I'm offended that you're offended at me being open about my world view.

Seems like a giant circle imho.