Are you a nurse with "alternative" spiritual beliefs? - Page 4

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  1. Jun 22, '12 by
    Quote from notjustanurse
    I am a Pagan and I work in a Catholic facility, so I do not wear symbols of my religion to work or discuss my religion with co-workers or patients. I did get some strange looks when I declined having my hands blessed by the nuns, lol.
    This is me too. When I was in college I wore my pentacle and it wasn't a big deal. I wouldn't dream of doing it at work though.

    I don't discuss my beliefs with anyone at work either.
    Laura Z. Pam and Merlyn like this.
  2. Jun 24, '12 by
    Quote from smoup
    This is me too. When I was in college I wore my pentacle and it wasn't a big deal. I wouldn't dream of doing it at work though.

    I don't discuss my beliefs with anyone at work either.
    But I bet if you wore a Roman Torture device (cross) people would think you are so holy.
  3. Jun 24, '12 by
    Quote from NightNurse876

    To each their own...however
    Most religious symbols are pagan symbols, taken from the conquered/converted groups so that they can maintain something familiar to them before these people came with warth to convert in the name of their 'God'...no?

    .
    Absolutely. The extremely conservative branch/cult of Christianity I was raised in wouldn't go anywhere near the majority of typically Christian symbolism, such as crosses, or celebrate "Christian" holidays such as Christmas or Easter due to the roots in paganism.

    There's a bible verse that speaks of not taking the spiritual practices of "pagans" and using them to worship the "one true god. ". They took r seriously, and apparently almost everything Christian came from somewhere else, because we sure as heck weren't allowed to do much!
  4. Jun 24, '12 by
    Atheist pagan in the Bible belt, married to another atheist nurse. I wear a pentacle at work, usually no one says anything. I always refuse to pray with patients, though, and my husband does the same. Neither of us discusses our religious beliefs with the patient -- if the patient ASKS me, I tend to say something about how we're not here for me, we're here for them, so let's focus on them, etc. My co-workers are aware, though.
    somenurse likes this.
  5. Jun 25, '12 by
    Quote from zombi LPN
    Atheist pagan in the Bible belt, married to another atheist nurse. I wear a pentacle at work, usually no one says anything. I always refuse to pray with patients, though, and my husband does the same. Neither of us discusses our religious beliefs with the patient -- if the patient ASKS me, I tend to say something about how we're not here for me, we're here for them, so let's focus on them, etc. My co-workers are aware, though.
    Just asking. Atheist means you don't believe in any deities and Pagan means one is polytheistic. Oh well, none of my business anyway. Blessed Be.
  6. Jun 29, '12 by
    I'm a Nichiren Buddhist. It is because of my belief in reincarnation that I am drawn to working in hospice. It is my firm belief that no religion is wrong and that "all roads lead to Rome". Since I was raised christian and am married to a jewish man, I am well acquainted with each religion's customs and beliefs. I am comfortable with using the language of the other person's spiritual beliefs in connecting with them and seek only to be a comfort and not to change anyone's mind.
    Laura Z. Pam likes this.
  7. Jul 14, '12 by
    Quote from Merlyn
    Just asking. Atheist means you don't believe in any deities and Pagan means one is polytheistic. Oh well, none of my business anyway. Blessed Be.
    Actually, no, pagan means non-Christian earth based spirituality... you might be surprised to find that there are many atheist, agnostic, and even monotheistic pagans (: It's an umbrella term -- while many pagan religions are polytheistic, not all are, and the word pagan does not always or necessarily mean polytheism.
    LunahRN and macalania54 like this.
  8. Jul 14, '12 by
    As a nurse who is also a human being, there are so many ways of expressing myself without wearing religious emblems on purpose. My goal, when I am working, is to help my patients be the healthiest best that they can be. Most of the time, the less folks know about me, the more we can concentrate on their needs.

    As a human being who needs good solid nursing care, I really don't want to know what you believe, as long as you have a clue how to respect and support my spiritual needs during my time of crisis. Just listen, please. You don't need to have all the answers.

    As a nurse, I find that when I open myself up to everything a patient chooses to share with me, I end up enriched by their gift. And sometimes, their words surprise them, too. They actually have the answers they were hoping to get from me!
    Last edit by Imarisk2 on Jul 14, '12 : Reason: adding more content
  9. Jul 15, '12 by
    Quote from PolaBar
    I don't need spirituality to be empathetic and caring, just as I don't believe religion makes people empathetic or caring.
    THIS!
    maybelaterRN, smoup, and somenurse like this.
  10. Jul 15, '12 by
    Quote from zombi LPN
    Actually, no, pagan means non-Christian earth based spirituality... you might be surprised to find that there are many atheist, agnostic, and even monotheistic pagans (: It's an umbrella term -- while many pagan religions are polytheistic, not all are, and the word pagan does not always or necessarily mean polytheism.
    Sorry, Atheist means without belief. Pagan means you have belief. Atheist from the Greek A - without theist- god or gods. Pagan - polytheistic many gods. can't be a pagan atheist. But it's a free county you can call yourself any thing you want.