Religion, culture and nursing

[raebabelvn]

Last night I was reading a thread about a Jehovah's Witness nurse. I found it fascinating! I read every single post. It got me thinking... what religions hinder full holistic nursing care? JW's have a thing against blood and blood products... do other religions have restrictions similar to that? I've always been interested in learning about other religions, and in lvn school we did a brief overview of it, but nothing in depth. Also, what religion are you? Are there certain procedures or practices in nursing and/or medicine that offend you or restrict the care you provide? Would you ever share your faith with your patients? Have you cared for patients of a religion that has restrictions? What about other cultures?

I myself am a Christian. I don't have any restrictions, but I have preferences. However, that wouldn't hinder patient care. I haven't taken care of a patient with religious restrictions just yet. And the only time I have talked about my faith with patients is if they initiate the conversation, and even then, I make sure I don't cross any boundary lines. I let them lead the conversation.

I'm curious and excited to learn more about this topic!

[mskate]

I am a very staunch atheist and I have struggled at times with JW's not wanting to give blood, when, in my opinion - they are choosing death over a bunch of superstitious hooey! But, whatever floats their boat.

I have had issues with patients directly asking me my religious thoughts when it came to loved ones dying and such... I do my best to skirt the issue, but when pressed and I'm unable to maneuver around it, I will tell people that I am an atheist. Because of that, I have had patients/families request to have a new nurse because they felt my care would be inadequate, that they feared I wouldn't care for their "spiritual needs" appropriately, or that they did not want to be in my proximity.

I decline to pray with families when asked, and I politely step out when they doing rituals, if it is safe to do so.

[LovedRN, BSN, RN]

Have you head of the book title "The spirit catches you and you fall down"? It's a book about the crash of culture/religion and healthcare. It's a good book. Check it out!!!

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

"Also, what religion are you?"

Secular Humanist, in other words: none.

"Are there certain procedures or practices in nursing and/or medicine that offend you or restrict the care you provide?"

No.

"Would you ever share your faith with your patients?"

Not in my current acute care setting. I did when I worked home health as an aide and a client wanted to talk about how secularists view things like evolution and the historicity of Jesus and the bible.

"Have you cared for patients of a religion that has restrictions?"

Sure, all the time. Dietary restrictions for example.

"What about other cultures?"

Yep.