Sunday Service and Weekend shift

Nurses Spirituality

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I just BARELY started working as an RN. When I mean barely, I mean I'm still in orientation and will officially start working with a preceptor on 8/7.

My issue is that I won't be able to attend church service on Sunday mornings. I know to some it may be unusual but I have never missed a church service and I feel heartbroken that I might have to. I am working 7A to 7P and I told the manager that I can work sundays, just not 7A to 7P. I can do 7P to 7A but the manager said that's not allowed. I do understand what I got myself into and I know patient care is 24/7. But what can I do or what advice can anyone give me?

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

You might want to re-read the parable of the ox in the well. And find someone to split those Sunday School duties with.

(My husband was a pastor for 30+ years)

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Specializes in MICU/CCU, SD, home health, neo, travel.

The Jewish tradition, from which the Christian tradition springs (please remember that Jesus himself was a Jew) has a principle called "pikuach hanefesh", that is, literally, "to save a soul" or "to save a life". This principle permits Jewish doctors and nurses to work on Shabbat if they cannot avoid it because they are saving lives. Religious Jewish nurses I have known take this principle in varying degrees. Some would work on Shabbat without complaining, particularly if they were ER or ICU nurses; others would try to trade if possible, for instance work Saturday night for Friday night, particularly in winter when the sun sets earlier. (I don't have that much experience with day shift.) So you might look at it from that standpoint. You are saving a life here, therefore it is permissible to work. Also, you are not going to work *every* Sunday; it's usually every other Sunday, or every third Sunday, depending on how your unit is scheduled. God understands these things.

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This might be a long shot that may take some time, but you could ask the leaders of your church if it would be feasible to either hold a second service on Saturday nights or Sunday nights. You could also ask that they tape the service so you could watch it later.

I do understand that there is a definite social aspect and feeling of community in going to church, and unfortunately it's hard to replace that. There may be another church near you that has a service you could catch that works around your shift too (though you wouldn't be with you specific church people and you wouldn't be able to teach).

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Roman Catholics have been allowed to attend Mass on Saturday evening in place of the Sunday service for many years now. Perhaps you can find a church that allows Saturday evening services to take the place of Sunday services.

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I do understand your point. It is a requirement for my church to attend a weekday and weekend service. I also know that attending service is not the only way to serve God because faith without works is dead. I know it may all seem unusual and just unrealistic especially with the field I chose to be in. We are taught to respect our patient's beliefs no matter how unusual. Just how patients will not accept blood products even if they need it to live. I wish we had that same outlook on our other healthcare workers. I do understand that WE ARE NOT THE PATIENT AND WE ARE THE ONES PROVIDING CARE. As much as I wish, my duty as a nurse does not replace my service to God. I have no desire to quit all the hard work I put in to being a nurse. I love being a nurse. I know it may seem like im just being hardheaded and hopefully nobody thinks im attacking what they believe because i respect all of your advice and I respect what you believe in.

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

Then it looks like you are going to need to address this with the minister. I have never heard of a church requiring one to attend two services a week. Your church leaders are the only ones who can help you figure this out.

I do understand your point. It is a requirement for my church to attend a weekday and weekend service. I also know that attending service is not the only way to serve God because faith without works is dead. I know it may all seem unusual and just unrealistic especially with the field I chose to be in. We are taught to respect our patient's beliefs no matter how unusual. Just how patients will not accept blood products even if they need it to live. I wish we had that same outlook on our other healthcare workers. I do understand that WE ARE NOT THE PATIENT AND WE ARE THE ONES PROVIDING CARE. As much as I wish, my duty as a nurse does not replace my service to God. I have no desire to quit all the hard work I put in to being a nurse. I love being a nurse. I know it may seem like im just being hardheaded and hopefully nobody thinks im attacking what they believe because i respect all of your advice and I respect what you believe in.
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I do understand your point. It is a requirement for my church to attend a weekday and weekend service.

So find a service at another non-denominational church that has a service you can attend on the weekends you can't attend at your home church. Bonus for you...a second church family. This should be completely acceptable to your church leaders and if it isn't then there's a bigger problem.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
I do understand your point. It is a requirement for my church to attend a weekday and weekend service. I also know that attending service is not the only way to serve God because faith without works is dead. I know it may all seem unusual and just unrealistic especially with the field I chose to be in. We are taught to respect our patient's beliefs no matter how unusual. Just how patients will not accept blood products even if they need it to live. I wish we had that same outlook on our other healthcare workers. I do understand that WE ARE NOT THE PATIENT AND WE ARE THE ONES PROVIDING CARE. As much as I wish, my duty as a nurse does not replace my service to God. I have no desire to quit all the hard work I put in to being a nurse. I love being a nurse. I know it may seem like im just being hardheaded and hopefully nobody thinks im attacking what they believe because i respect all of your advice and I respect what you believe in.

I belong to a similar church (same denomination) and your use of the word 'requirement' is troubling at best, disingenuous at worst. There is no 'requirement' to attend two services per week. What are you suggesting the consequence is? Disfellowship? Color me skeptical.

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When I started as RN I was very upset about the same situation as I had to miss Sunday worship.I understand that you are a choir member and teacher so it must be very hard for you. As some of the members already advised you, once you get settled try asking your coworkers .We were allowed to split shifts. 7am-1pm and 1pm -7am, you can ask in your unit if they allow it.Unfortunately this a requirement if you are a nurse or you have to find something in Day surgery, Dr. clinic, PACU(they usually don't hire new nurses), endoscopy etc. If worse come to worse you might have to work Sundays and providing services to the sick and needy is also a type of service.

PS: I don't know if you are a nurse in Texas , try not to leave your job because this state can put the nurses in to a no rehire list or Group one and those nurses cannot find any other job anywhere else.

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

Jesus Himself healed on the Sabbath. If we are free in Christ, we are free indeed. What I mean by that is, we can still serve and worship God, through the freedom we have in Christ, as we work on a Sunday. He will not condemn you. In fact, it can be service to God by serving those He created and who are in need.

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I understand that it is something you've never heard of. I belong to a specific church and I can't attend just any church because we believe not all churches are the same. So let's leave it at that. I'm asking advice on how to balance work and church. I'm not going to change which church I'm going to, I'm not going to change what I believe. And that's that.

The advice I've received was to wait till I'm settled to change my schedule around, which shifts and find another job that accommodates me. Other than that, is there anything else? I'm just looking for advice, not advice on religion and that Jesus Christ and God are forgiving. I'm completely aware of it. If anyone is curious about my church, you can visit incmedia.org but please visit with an open mind and heart :) I'm not trying to promote or convert but I know a lot of people won't exactly understand my point of view. Don't bump it until you try ❤️

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OP: You will simply have to decide if you can stay in your current position with the expectation that you'll work some weekends. I'm Orthodox Christian and I take my faith seriously. I love going to Divine Liturgy on Sundays- but one Sunday a month- I simply can't because I have to work. My priest understands. It is what it is.

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