Religion Needed to be a Good Nurse?

Nurses Spirituality

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We just covered a spiritituality/religion lesson in our BSN course and the instructor (religious) came out and said good nurses had spirituality and would be there for whatever spiritual needs the PT had. I understand the benefits of PTs being able to express their own spiritituality, but not being spiritual myself, I always assumed this could happen without me losing my own identity/belief system by praying with the PT. There are professionals in this area afterall and it's not as if nursing doesn't have enough on its plate already.

So the question is, does the nursing career, with all it's specialized education and skills, also view good nurses to be spiritual/religious or is this instructor taking some liberties with the topic?

Here, I found the much simpler version on the web:

https://www.uua.org/beliefs#christian

Are Unitarian Universalists Christian?

Yes and no.

Yes, some Unitarian Universalists are Christian. Personal encounter with the spirit of Jesus as the christ richly informs their religious lives.

No, Unitarian Universalists are not Christian, if by Christian you mean those who think that acceptance of any creedal belief whatsoever is necessary for salvation. Unitarian Universalist Christians are considered heretics by those orthodox Christians who claim none but Christians are "saved." (Fortunately, not all the orthodox make that claim.)

Yes, Unitarian Universalists are Christian in the sense that both Unitarian and Universalist history are part of Christian history. Our core principles and practices were first articulated and established by liberal Christians.

Some Unitarian Universalists are not Christian. For though they may acknowledge the Christian history of our faith, Christian stories and symbols are no longer primary for them. They draw their personal faith from many sources: nature, intuition, other cultures, science, civil liberation movements, and so on.

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asoldierswife05 said:
It is very confusing. I accept all religions but I have a hard time accepting the fact that some UU members do NOT believe in Christ, but still call themselves a "Christian". To me it seems a little hipocritical, you know? Yes, not all of the Bible's teachings are taken literally, like the eye for an eye, but the New Testament is based off the teachings of Jesus Christ...how can you be a Christian if you don't believe he even existed...seems like you would miss many of the teachings the entire religion is based upon. Yes, there will be different interpretations even between the various Christian denominations, but the acceptance of Jesus Christ as son of God and Savoir is a fundamental teaching/truth within the values of the Christian Religion. I am just confused and astounded by this new knowledge. I had never heard of a Universalist before...I will have to look into it more to understand better. Knowledge is power you know.:p

UU members who don't believe in Christ would not call themselves Christian. I don't, because I don't have 100% belief in his divinity. SOME members do believe in Christ's divinity 100% and call themselves Christian. They just don't think I'm destined to burn in hell for not thinking the same as them. Some congregations are almost all Christians, others are very diverse. Even the non-Christians like me can look to Jesus for guidance.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
fergus51 said:
UU members who don't believe in Christ would not call themselves Christian. I don't, because I don't have 100% belief in his divinity. SOME members do believe in Christ's divinity 100% and call themselves Christian. They just don't think I'm destined to burn in hell for not thinking the same as them. Some congregations are almost all Christians, others are very diverse. Even the non-Christians like me can look to Jesus for guidance.

Yes, I visited the site right after I posted:rotfl: I am a habitual learner...

It clarified a lot of questions I had. I would think it perfectly fine for a UU member to call themselves Christian if they accept the divinity of Christ, and those who do not should refer to themselves in another form, such as child of God or something, just out of respect for those who are Christians, IMO.

As far as salvation, I do believe in the orthodox Christian teachings and Have accepted Christ as My only salvation...but I try not to judge others or say "Oh, you're not 'saved' so you are going to hell!"...I think I will leave that judgement up to the Almighty:chuckle

One thing that confused me was the fact that UU members believe in the Trinity~ God, Jesus, & Holy Ghost being one entity, right? So is it not against their own belief system to deny the divinity of Christ, and refer to him as human, and nothing more.

BTW, just curious, not trying to start some radical religious debate...I love all of God's creatures no matter what they choose to believe:)

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yes, i visited the site right after i posted:rotfl: i am a habitual learner...

it clarified a lot of questions i had. i would think it perfectly fine for a uu member to call themselves christian if they accept the divinity of christ, and those who do not should refer to themselves in another form, such as child of god or something, just out of respect for those who are christians, imo.

and they don't. i would never call myself a christian, many members would never even say god

as far as salvation, i do believe in the orthodox christian teachings and have accepted christ as my only salvation...but i try not to judge others or say "oh, you're not 'saved' so you are going to hell!"...i think i will leave that judgement up to the almighty:chuckle

that's why you wouldn't be a universalist

one thing that confused me was the fact that uu members believe in the trinity~ god, jesus, & holy ghost being one entity, right? so is it not against their own belief system to deny the divinity of christ, and refer to him as human, and nothing more.

i think you read something wrong. uus do not believe in the trinity, so jesus' place in the trinity means nothing to them as far as proving he's god. they believe in the "oneness" of god, that's where the unitarian part of their name comes from

btw, just curious, not trying to start some radical religious debate...i love all of god's creatures no matter what they choose to believe:)

no offense taken at all, it's an interesting discussion, i'd be happy to continue by pm

.................

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

thanks for all the info, Fergus:p

thanks for all the info, Fergus:p

Welcome:chuckle I only wish I could make things clearer than I usually do:chuckle

Specializes in Critical Care.

I have a tough time acccepting god as being a merciful god when there are children being abused, some premmies even before they are supposed to be born. I can accept that there are bad people out there and that god has a grand design for all, but it's the little ones that haven't earned the abuse that makes me question the mercifullness (probably not a word, sorry) of this being that so many people worship.

I was taught when I was younger that everyone had a purpose in this life. I ask what purpose is it when a long-awaited child is stillborn? The families go through hell in their grieving. I have even known parents to kill themselves because of this. Who does that serve? What have these babies that are unable to defend themselves done to deserve to be hit, kicked, burned, and raped? I feel that a god that allows that to happen isn't one that has earned my respect or love.

That is one of the reasons why *I* choose not to serve that god as opposed to the ones I commune with.

1 Votes
tvccrn said:
I have a tough time acccepting god as being a merciful god when there are children being abused, some premmies even before they are supposed to be born. I can accept that there are bad people out there and that god has a grand design for all, but it's the little ones that haven't earned the abuse that makes me question the mercifullness (probably not a word, sorry) of this being that so many people worship.

I was taught when I was younger that everyone had a purpose in this life. I ask what purpose is it when a long-awaited child is stillborn? The families go through hell in their grieving. I have even known parents to kill themselves because of this. Who does that serve? What have these babies that are unable to defend themselves done to deserve to be hit, kicked, burned, and raped? I feel that a god that allows that to happen isn't one that has earned my respect or love.

That is one of the reasons why *I* choose not to serve that god as opposed to the ones I commune with.

I am not going to try to convert you, but allow me to tell you a few things that I have experienced and through suffering and great loss, have become stronger because I believe in God. I had twins at 29 weeeks, boy and a girl; they were not expected to live[this was 25 yrs ago]. I said to my husband, at the time, that God would not bless me with twins, then take them away. They spent 2 months in the NICU, one was on the vent for 1 1/2 weeks, the other, amazingly, only needed to be under a head box and IV's till he was able to tolerate formula. My son came home after 7 weeks, my daughter after 8 weeks. They both came home weighing just a little over 5#. They never had to return to the hospital with any residual problems. They grew up, graduated with honors, then both served time in the Navy. I am proud and also very thankful for their success.

When they were 11, my husband left me for another woman. It was like a death and, so far, the worst thing I've ever had to go through in my life. 2 years later I was married to a man that most woman only dream of. He is considerate, thoughtful, loving and romantic. My children respect him more than their own father, with whom they still have a very good relationship. I thank God everyday for blessing me and my family.

He has also helped me succeed in my career. I used to be very insecure and unsure if I had even picked the right career path. Now I have been a nurse for 30 yrs and very successful at my job where I work in the ED, the most challenging, yet rewarding area to persue. I'm REALLY saving lives and I thank God for my skills and ability to stay calm in stressful situations. He has truely given me a gift.

It is the trials and tribulations that are cast apon us that make us stronger and enable us to truly appreciate genuine happiness.

To paraphrase Lin Yutang, "in order to know the light of life, you must first suffer through darkness." May God bless you.:)

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Hello everyone, I have to agree with Kabin, thats the most realistic approach to someone that is in temporarly situation and hospital invironment.:) Janice

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I returned to nursing 23 years ago because God called me although I didn't know that for 3 years. I mention this because since God wants nursing to be my ministry I, therefore, need Him to be a good nurse. Some of the respondents don't feel the way I do, and that's OK for them. But for me, I will serve the Lord.

To tvccrn and others - no it's not a perfect world, God has not intended it to be. Without sadness there can be no joy, without war, no peace. In other words there is indeed a time for everyting under heaven, as the Bible says.

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so the question is, does the nursing career, with all it's specialized education and skills, also view good nurses to be spiritual/religious or is this instructor taking some liberties with the topic?

yes, i believe the instructor is taking some liberties with the topic. i am not a religious person myself. but to my patients, i respect their choices and values. and i do that because the patient is human and deserves to be respected. personally, i think that instructor was just voicing their personal opinion. everyone is entitled to that.

to me a good nurse shows up for their shifts on time and prepared. a good nurse treats their patients with the same respect and dignity they would want to be treated themselves. a good nurse would never waste their specialized skills and would strive to do a better job. i think i'm a pretty good nurse but i'm not religious.

besides nursing seems to be getting quite political because of cut backs and budgeting and hmo's etc. etc. i didn't think that religion and politics are suppsed to mix are they?

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
tvccrn said:
I have a tough time acccepting god as being a merciful god when there are children being abused, some premmies even before they are supposed to be born. I can accept that there are bad people out there and that god has a grand design for all, but it's the little ones that haven't earned the abuse that makes me question the mercifullness (probably not a word, sorry) of this being that so many people worship.

I was taught when I was younger that everyone had a purpose in this life. I ask what purpose is it when a long-awaited child is stillborn? The families go through hell in their grieving. I have even known parents to kill themselves because of this. Who does that serve? What have these babies that are unable to defend themselves done to deserve to be hit, kicked, burned, and raped? I feel that a god that allows that to happen isn't one that has earned my respect or love.

That is one of the reasons why *I* choose not to serve that god as opposed to the ones I commune with.

You have a lot of serious emotions tied up in your post, and I am guessing by your id that you are in critical care? Although I don't know you personally, and I am not trying to convert you either, you seem like you may need some encouragement.

Just from my own personal experience, God can seem unmerciful but I do believe he has a grand design that we are too feeble-minded to even begin to understand. When we see suffering, we don't look at the big picture.

Jesus was the most RIGHTEOUS person that walked the face of the Earth, and look how he met his end? But our salvation came from it (Just my belief). Look at people like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr...they did a large amount of suffering themselves, but they brought about a revolution. This country was founded because others were suffering oppression!

I understand it must be hard to see innocent lives being taken, leaving families in such deep pain, and not be able to see a clear reason why. But having faith (not necessarily in God but in a greater purpose... a design of life) may help you cope with these things. But because of these precious lives we lose, our medical care continous to become better and better. If you ever get a chance to visit St. Jude Hospital I would recommend it. You would expect those children, especially the ones who KNOW they are going to die, to be miserable and depressed...but they are not! They live life with a smile on their face and bring joy to everyone they talk to. I have seen staff members brought to tears. I can't look at the spirit in those children and not know there is a God. That is my personal conviction.

If you feel like you are dealing with too much loss and grief perhaps you should break from critical care for awhile. Not saying that to be mean, just out of concern. ((((((HUG)))))))

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