A Comforting Analogy

[GinaDecorRN]

I don't force my faith on anyone, and would only share this if I felt it was appropriate with clients that may have talked openly about their belief in heaven and faith.

Sunday mornings were always challenging when my son was a toddler. The crying would begin as we walked back to the church nursery, and though his class was filled with toys and friends and people who would provide loving care for him, his separation from me would cause stress, fear and sadness. But I left him.

As I worshiped in the adjoining sanctuary I felt I was in the presence of the Lord. I was at peace and I was where I was supposed to be. I knew that my son was missing me, but our time apart would be short. I looked forward to the day he would be old enough to come with me into the sanctuary and we would stand before the Lord together.

I was reminded of these emotions years later when I lost my dad. I was the crying child while he had stepped into God's sanctuary in heaven. At times when I think " I will never see him again" I am reminded that he is where he should be and when the time is right I will join him there. I have shared this analogy on occasion and hope it brings comfort.

[rnholly]

I love this!!! Thank you for posting.

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

I don't force or express my faith on anyone either, I can tell you I've questioned it, I'm sure as many others have... Working in Hospice for the last 4 yrs has really proven to me there is SOMETHING there after this life. way too many pt.s have been visited by people/family that have passed before them and sometimes they wait for someone else! it's not possible to believe unless you witness it... all faiths, all denominations, there are those who are there at the time of death. Unless you witness it, it's hard for others to understand. I have seen it MANY times. I know many people are Atheists, and I respect that non-belief as well. To each his own. I for one would rather have faith and have nothing to lose, then have no faith and find out I was wrong. I believe it doesn't matter in the end... we will have what is there, no matter what faith, as long as we are decent people, G-D didn't invent religion, but he will be there for all of us, what do you have to lose, if there is nothing........ we won't even be aware of it. :)

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

and BTW, I use to feel G-d was in a spiritual place such as a church or temple, but now I don't think so. I believe G-D is everywhere, any time I see something in nature I feel G-d's presence, flowers, trees, wind, clouds, etc. I believe that science and G-d are possible together, life is a miracle and it was sparked by SOMETHING

[ggunther]

and so does Our Father, in Heaven, wait eagerly for us, knows that our separation is only temporary.And as we should cry for heaven, and our Daddy.

[ggunther]

hi, i have never seen "G-d" used before, i know what you are inferring, but curious as to why u spelled it this way. Respectfully.

[Achot0812]

"hi, i have never seen "G-d" used before, i know what you are inferring, but curious as to why u spelled it this way. Respectfully."

Not sure about the reasoning of the prior posters....Among my own religious group, Orthodox Jews, we write "G-d" because of concern that we not erase a version of the Divine Name. It helps us to be careful with what we say when referencing G-d--not an absolute, but a lot of us do so.

Good question!

[leelakanthi]

yes we cannot force our faith but aren't supposed to provide spiritual care, If the client is interested and in a situation (in a need) i would share some of my experience.

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

enlightening and refreshing as well...thank you for sharing this post...aloha~

[Tragically Hip]

For the admins: Shouldn't this thread be in the General Nursing > Nursing and Spirituality group rather than the Hospice Nursing group?

It gets a bit slippery when a provider on whom a patient depends expresses his personal feelings about politics/spirituality/football teams. The patient is left to wonder that, should he express disagreement with his caregiver, that his care might suffer.

I'd leave the spirital counseling to the pros, just as I'd hope the clergy would leave pain management to the medical staff.

[tewdles, RN]

For the admins: Shouldn't this thread be in the General Nursing > Nursing and Spirituality group rather than the Hospice Nursing group?

It gets a bit slippery when a provider on whom a patient depends expresses his personal feelings about politics/spirituality/football teams. The patient is left to wonder that, should he express disagreement with his caregiver, that his care might suffer.

I'd leave the spirital counseling to the pros, just as I'd hope the clergy would leave pain management to the medical staff.

Because of the nature and design of the hospice model, nurses are often involved in meeting the spiritual needs of the patient.

It is true that health professionals can create a dangerous environment for patients if the dialog becomes more focused on the beliefs of the professional rather than on the beliefs of the patient. This is why an excellent understanding and implementation of professional boundaries is so crucial to our work.

[Tragically Hip]

Because of the nature and design of the hospice model, nurses are often involved in meeting the spiritual needs of the patient.

Where in a nurse's training is "meeting the spiritual needs of the patient" covered? Is there a certification for it?

It is true that health professionals can create a dangerous environment for patients if the dialog becomes more focused on the beliefs of the professional rather than on the beliefs of the patient. This is why an excellent understanding and implementation of professional boundaries is so crucial to our work.

Indeed.