The Nurse's Role in Providing Spiritual Care - Is It OK to Pray?

If you are comfortable with the patient's faith/religion, no good reason not to pray with/for them. I, personally, don't know about Wicca, Hinduism, Buddism, Islam, nor could I do a rosary. If I didn't know about them, I would try to contact someone of the faith. I have worked with all those before. Only real problem I can think of was when I made a comment that showed I was religious and an athiest husband jumped all over me. I would steer clear of debates.

If the patient/family want to pray and you are in the room, there should be no reason not to participate, especially if you are asked.

If I notice that is what is happening, I will either stand quietly until they are through, or quietly do only what is necessary and slip out so I don't disrupt.

I have walked into a room and found the Muslims on their prayer rugs, Catholics with prayer cards and rosaries (the patron saint of Labor and Delivery is a man! Who would have thought it??), Pentacostals having a "Praise Jesus!" meetings, and other Protestant denominations having simple prayers at the bedside. It has made me more accessable when I also participate or show respect.

I must disagree. It's generally not OK to pray with patients.

HUH?
SORRY I REALLY disagree!
The whole thing of being a NURSE is to care for the WHOLE person. That means every part of them. It is not up to ME to cut out their spirit or religion away from them, that is part of what makes up their WHOLE, and respecting their WHOLE will lead to a better outcome. That means buddist, catholic, baptist, or WHATEVER. AND all you have to do if asked is hold their hand, close your eyes, AND a silent moment given up for their sakes. MYself, I would PREFER to go get their preferred preacher/teacher/ whatever, but if my patient would feel better in anyway, I will take that moment with them or their family.
The only ones that usually resent that would be....... well I won't go there, cause it's NOT like you have to say or think anything when you close your eyes.
And BTW read the report that patients that are prayed for REGARDLESS if they know it or not, get better faster.
Now as far as EVIL spirits in the room. WOW, I've been a nurse for 25 yrs in all kinds of facilities and NEVER even heard a rumor like that. And I'm American Indian who practiced on reservations where those things CAN be easily thought of.
Now before you misunderstand, don't think I into religion or a bible thumper, or even an indian shaman (choke,,,not even an indian word)!.
MATTER OF FACT I AM NOT INTO ANY RELIGION, but respectful of all! I have my own belief and spirituality, and in my own way do not generally agree with organized religion.

In one of my nursing classes, it was presented that if a patient asks for prayer, we should all know a very "generic" prayer that wouldn't be offensive to any faith. Although I am a practicing evangelical, it isn't my place as a nurse to evangelize, but to minister to all the broken people with whom I work (Patients, family, AND staff).

It has been a very rare occasion that I have offered prayer, but when asked, I do my best not to offend.

I work in a very small town hospital. We don't have a chaplain, many of our patients families will pray with them, when I''m in the room, I will bow my head and pray. But I have never offered to pray for them. Many have asked if there was someone who could pray for them , then I will go get that person.

Part of our admission assessment, per JACHO requirements, is a couple of questions along the lines of "do you have a religious affiliation?" Would you like us to contact your clergy member? and there is a spot for the clergy members name. Also, we ask if they would like to speak to the hospital chaplain.

Since these are required, as part of a holistic assessment of the patient, we are therefore documenting religious affiliation, and what, if anything, the patient may want in this area. WE ARE BRINGING UP RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION ON THE ADMISSION ASSESSMENT - why then is it wrong to pray with the patient if asked or if you find yourself in the room whilst the patient is in prayer - why should you be wronged to join in if you are so inclined?

I see absolutely nothing wrong with it, AND, I would document it so that others know we ARE addressing the patients spiritual side.

Blessings

When my patients request it, I do pray with them. I have had numerous positive experiences in spiritual care with my clients (when requested). One night years ago when I was working in a level III ICU, I had an alert and oriented patient who was dying. She had made herself a no code. Numerous family members were at her bedside. As her vital signs began to diminish, the family requested chaplain services. I paged the chaplain numerous times, but he was nowhere to be found. Finally, I retrieved my old Bible from my locker and went into the patient's room. As she was dying, the family members and I held hands and we recited the Lord's prayer. I'll never forget that moment - it was electrifying. It was an amazing experience. Afterwards, the family thanked me for "filling in" for the chaplain.

Why not just say a quick silent pray, I have prayed several times for people and they didn't even know I was praying for them, But God did

While I agree that it is a Chaplain's role to provide spiritual care, when I am out in the middle of who knows where and my patient is dying I cannot wait for the chaplain to come to pray. As I stated before, I know my patients and their faith so when I ask if I can pray I'm comfortable with whatever answer I receive. I do believe that as a nurse we are responsible for the total care of our patients and if I have to find a priest or rabbi or whatever I will do it to meet my patients' needs before they leave this earth. No, we should not push a religion but there is a difference between religion and faith as well as spiritual needs. Thank God I work in a job that I have the freedom to pray and discuss faith with patients if they want to. Sorry if that offends, there is soooo much in this world that offends me, but I deal with it and turn to those things that bring me comfort.

Although I am a practicing Protestant, I would never offer to pray with a patient. I will and have prayed with them if they asked me to. Although on more than one occasion I was very uncomfortable with the kind of prayer being done. I can still be silent and reverent. Our patients, at least mine do, know that we have a non-denominational chaplain, on staff, and he can be summoned or assist in calling someone else.

I escaped from my floor once or twice myself to pray with our chaplain when my own family members were in health care crises.

I believe if a patient asks you to pray with them and you are comfortable with doing so, then you should. I agree the spiritual needs should be addressed and if the patient is requesting it so be it. All that being said I would always offer chaplain services. Our hospital is very big on addressing ALL the needs of the patient. Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. We have a wonderful spiritual care services. I know sometimes when patients are asking they feel an immediate need, and if it's during off hours, it might take 15-20 minutes for a chaplain to get here so I would think it would be okay to pray with them. Once again I think it should be the request of the patient. I would not offer to pray with them, but would certainly meet the request of the patient. It's maintaining a holistic approach. However if you are not comfortable with praying, get the chaplain.