Question for atheist nurses

Nurses Spirituality

Published

I am just at the very beginning of my nursing education, so forgive me if I am being presumptuous, but my preliminary understanding of the nurse's understanding of the human is that we incorporate body, mind, and spirit. Those of you who profess atheism, do you utilize this understanding, or do you see humans as strictly body and mind? or something else I'm not thinking of? TIA!

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I think at the end of this discussion (whenever that will be) there will have to be an agreement to disagree.

All I can think is that my dear Mom always always always told me never ever ever ever discuss politics, religion or your salary.

And you know what? Mom was right!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am so sorry for coming off in the wrong way to many of you. I would love to understand why any of you feel as if there is no God or why Jesus wasn't real or why we do not need a savior. I want to be understood just as much as you all want to be understood. I am sorry if I seemed like I was attacking anyone and I am sorry to God as well if I did not write every word out of love for his people. I know I do not like to feel attacked and obviously posting in this thread I am the one with stuff being thrown in my face. Think of it this way....Jesus is my bestfriend and I believe he is God and saved me, and I see people who do not think He is good or real, I cannot help but to say something. Heaven found the only way to me through Jesus Christ. It's not that I found Jesus so that I can go to heaven or just to make myself feel better, but that I want to glorify God because he is just that great and deserves it all. That's my father and I love him and he wants the best for all of his children. Again, I am sorry if I have come off rude or disrespectful, I can honestly say I do not mean any of this to sound that way, and I would hope that everyone else could try to do they're best to be respectful as well. Nursing is a gift and well gifts come from someone[/quote']

According to the most recent Pope, Jesus is NOT the only way to heaven. Of atheists are nice they can go there too! (And this is posted by a very strong Buddhist)

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Whoa - this thread really took off while I wasn't looking!

A couple of things:

1) I am a Christian.

2) Because I have a belief in a deity, I began to wonder how atheist nurses interpret the dictum that, among a patient's many needs, there are spiritual needs to be met.

3) Only a few people actually answered the question that I asked, which was probably unclear because I was trying too hard to be respectful. Put a different way, that question is: do atheist nurses believe that humans have a spiritual as well as physical and mental component? If not, do you take the requirement to care for spiritual needs (patient and self) to be strictly a mental health issue (not meaning that spiritual needs = mental health problems.) If so, what does spirituality mean to an atheist?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN.
Albeit a thread directed at atheists. Shouldn't the poster start his/her own thread with links to their church?

I have to disagree. This is a spiritual thread, the OP asked a "spiritual" question, and I would imagine that it was intended for those who have some sort of spiritual belief. Not for those who have no spiritual belief. I do understand though that it is offensive to those who are atheists. Anyway, just my $.02

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
I have to disagree. This is a spiritual thread, the OP asked a "spiritual" question, and I would imagine that it was intended for those who have some sort of spiritual belief. Not for those who have no spiritual belief. I do understand though that it is offensive to those who are atheists. Anyway, just my $.02

The title of the thread is " A Question for Atheist Nurses " so obviously that's who she was intending to address.This thread needs to get back on track and answer what the OP was asking.I don't think she was trying to start a debate about the members beliefs.The original question would not be offensive to atheists since it was only asking how they address patient's spiritual needs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
Albeit a thread directed at atheists. Shouldn't the poster start his/her own thread with links to their church?

Why would they provide links to their church? The OP wasn't trying to preach her beliefs to anyone,just asking a question of atheist nurses.She never once indicated she was concerned with our lack of belief in a deity.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Why would they provide links to their church? The OP wasn't trying to preach her beliefs to anyone,just asking a question of atheist nurses.She never once indicated she was concerned with our lack of belief in a deity.

Not the OP. another poster whose post has since been edited had links to recordings by her church who was preaching her beliefs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN.

My bad...I didn't see the full title. Carry on :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To answer the OP's question, yes. I've bounced between beliefs- trying to settle on what I find to be true for myself. There is no deity. There is a spiritual aspect to human beings that can be acknowledged and nurtured. I find my spirit restored by being at peace outdoors, spending time with my family, and feeling good about my work. Other people need to pray or attend a formal service to feel this. I have found many things that I believe in are not what most people feel comfortable with. I don't think the human race needs to be saved. I don't believe in heaven or hell. I just want to have a good life for however long I'm here. I like many aspects of the Eastern and Pagan faiths and incorporated some of those ideas into my life. Harm none, watch your thoughts and words, Karma..... But Jesus has no hold on me. I take of my patients at work and get them whatever they require. I don't hate Christians or anyone else. I am, I suppose, above all else, a HUMANIST.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
My bad...I didn't see the full title. Carry on :-)
but it was still a spiritual question.....an the OP clarified....
Because I have a belief in a deity, I began to wonder how atheist nurses interpret the dictum that, among a patient's many needs, there are spiritual needs to be met.

3) Only a few people actually answered the question that I asked, which was probably unclear because I was trying too hard to be respectful. Put a different way, that question is: do atheist nurses believe that humans have a spiritual as well as physical and mental component? If not, do you take the requirement to care for spiritual needs (patient and self) to be strictly a mental health issue (not meaning that spiritual needs = mental health problems.) If so, what does spirituality mean to an atheist?

I think gaining insight to someone elses beliefs, lack of beliefs, and getting to understand beliefs that are not our own....helps us better care for our patients.

At the end of the day like Trauma said...we will have to agree to disagree.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I live in the deep, deeeeep south, and while I have many atheist friends, I'm almost always alone in my beliefs when I'm in a hospital setting. It doesn't bother me, I've grown up around Christians, a person's religion has never made a difference in how well I get along with them. If a patient needed my assistance in practicing his or her religion, I'm all for it, anything to make a sick person feel a little better, or more hopeful, or less scared, or whatever. I don't mind "praying" with someone, as long as I don't have to say anything. Doesn't hurt me to just stand there with my head down.

It really gets under my skin though, when people assume I share the same beliefs as they do. I actually had a coworker come up to me, and whisper in my ear that she heard another coworker is an atheist, and is now "afraid" of her. That's the worst example, but there are all these little things, daily, and it bugs me. I'm constantly having patients AND coworkers asking me what church I go to. It wouldn't really be a problem for me if I didn't know for a fact that a lot of people would make negative judgements about me, and I don't want to get into it with them.

People also always assume I'm a conservative republican (and make comments I find to be VERY offensive)...but that's for a different thread. :) I really do love the South, but sometimes it drives me bonkers to be so fundamentally different from most everyone I interact with every day!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am so sorry for coming off in the wrong way to many of you. I would love to understand why any of you feel as if there is no God or why Jesus wasn't real or why we do not need a savior. I want to be understood just as much as you all want to be understood. I am sorry if I seemed like I was attacking anyone and I am sorry to God as well if I did not write every word out of love for his people. I know I do not like to feel attacked and obviously posting in this thread I am the one with stuff being thrown in my face. Think of it this way....Jesus is my bestfriend and I believe he is God and saved me, and I see people who do not think He is good or real, I cannot help but to say something. Heaven found the only way to me through Jesus Christ. It's not that I found Jesus so that I can go to heaven or just to make myself feel better, but that I want to glorify God because he is just that great and deserves it all. That's my father and I love him and he wants the best for all of his children. Again, I am sorry if I have come off rude or disrespectful, I can honestly say I do not mean any of this to sound that way, and I would hope that everyone else could try to do they're best to be respectful as well. Nursing is a gift and well gifts come from someone[/quote']

You haven't offended anyone !!!! I believe what you say 100% ! It amazes me how people that don't believe In God , get so offended ! If u don't believe than move on , we all have a choice in life to believe or not! For example I don't agree with certain things Catholics do but will I talk bad about them or constantly criticize them NO !!! Jesus did not preach In hate or condemnation but in love ! For those who don't believe simply live your life and move on point blank period . so for you hun , don't apologize for how u feel and who you believe in and remember for those who condemn you or think your God is magical , lol know that u have plenty who believe and will back you up without any doubts or hesitation and it will be done in a loving and respectful way !!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment