Prevalence of Christians in the field of nursing

Nurses Spirituality

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I will be making a career change, from the banking industry to nursing. Thought about it over the past year. In my industry, Christians are far and few between. I suppose much of this has to do with the main focus being, money.

Wondering about the prevalence of Christians in the nursing field? I know much of this has to do with what area of the country one works. Also, non-Chrisitans may not be looking out for Christians in the workforce. I know in my industry, I feel alone, to say the least.

Specializes in RN.
Oh no, it's not arrogant at all. In fact, it's laid out rather clearly in the Bible on what a person displays who is truly Christian. We are, actually, told to be judgmental of those who claim to be Christian but don't show it. Coincidentally, that was what Christ did quite often... Tell people who claimed to be religious and holy that they were actually spiritually dead and headed for death. See, it's not much different today. I invite you to read the Bible for yourself and you might be surprised...Christians are not based what you call yourself, but the status of your heart, which is plain to all people by the fruit in your life. And by 'fruit' I mean the 'fruit of the spirit' which is plainly described as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It's It's a daily struggle to live that way in this world, but God gives you the ability to rise above circumstances. Thanks for asking!

The status of your heart. Typical American touchy feely fundamentalism.

Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

A lovely sentiment, however, coming to Christ is not an ideal part of nursing practice. It is about patients, not us. Just because someone may not be a Christian, doesn't mean they are an atheist. Further, nurses are no less ethical, kind, or learned because of their religious beliefs.

Pray for the souls of the non-believers, the sort of believers,or the other-than Jesus believers in the privacy of your own home or church. Unless one works for a church or other religious organization, it has no place in the workplace, other than to see to the spiritual needs of our patients, which may be vastly different than our own. And that's OK.

Thank you!! Is it really that hard to be professional and not go to work to proselytize? Drives me bananas.

Specializes in TNS, ECRN, CEN, TNCC.
It is about patients, not us.

In fact, I would go a step futher and say IT is not even about the patients, it's about Jesus Christ. Everything is and we are all working towards that end. Once that is realized, then all else falls into place.

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
In fact, I would go a step futher and say IT is not even about the patients, it's about Jesus Christ. Everything is and we are all working towards that end. Once that is realized, then all else falls into place.

So do you initiate discussions on the topic with your patients at work that you determine are non-believers?

Specializes in TNS, ECRN, CEN, TNCC.
So do you initiate discussions on the topic with your patients at work that you determine are non-believers?

If the patient initiates it, then I have no problem talking about it. Otherwise, I just do my business and march on.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I think we need to remember that religion is one of those polarizing subjects and this is the Nursing and Spirituality forum. Allnurses promotes the idea of lively debate. This means you are free to disagree with anyone on any type of subject matter as long as your criticism is constructive and polite....

Our first priority is to the members that have come here because of the flame-free atmosphere we provide. There is a zero-tolerance policy here against personal attacks. We will not tolerate anyone insulting other's opinion nor name calling.

Our call is to be supportive, not divisive. Because of this, discrimination, racial vilification and offensive generalizations targeting people of other races, religions and/or nationalities will not be tolerated.

Specializes in RN.
I think we need to remember that religion is one of those polarizing subjects and this is the Nursing and Spirituality forum. Allnurses promotes the idea of lively debate. This means you are free to disagree with anyone on any type of subject matter as long as your criticism is constructive and polite....

You are correct! My apologies to all

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
You are correct! My apologies to all
:) thanks....
And by 'fruit' I mean the 'fruit of the spirit' which is plainly described as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

I know any number of people who possess all of those qualities who are agnostics or atheists.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

Judging by the behavior and attitudes I have observed among / in nurses in the years I have been in nursing my guess would be very, very low.

Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

This is the Nursing and Spirituality forum, which means it is open for any person who wants to talk about spirituality. It is not, in my opinion, limited to comments by those who consider themselves Christian, as spirituality does not equal religion.

With that said, to the OP: If choosing a career is limited in your mind by the religion of the people in that profession, then nursing will not be a good fit for you. Nurses are ethically bound to provide care to all people regardless of their life choices. As a reference, please visit the ANA website and read the various position papers on the subject of ethical delivery of care. You will be faced with non-Christian patients and co-workers and if you don't feel that you are morally able to deal with that, then don't do it. If your religion needs to be a part of your professional life, than you need to take a serious look at careers that will allow you to do that.

Of course, you could always attend nursing school and only practice in settings where you will be surrounded by nurses or staff of similar thought. Work for a religious school as a nurse, religious summer camps, do missionary work, etc.

In the majority of settings, respect for everyone's spiritual beliefs is expected. This includes not talking about your religion all the time. Good luck in your career whatever that ends up being.

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i guess i'm not understanding why it would make a difference...

since Christianity or any other religion, would not affect your role as a nurse one way or the other.

we (nurses) do not share our religious beliefs with our pts, and our care is non-denominational and holistic.

if the pt has spiritual distress, we get a chaplain, etc.

maybe if i could understand how you would feel alone, noting that one has nothing to do with the other? :)

leslie

Your beliefs still affect your actions even if you aren't imposing them upon other people.

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