Are you a nurse with "alternative" spiritual beliefs?

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 13, 2012

I think that there's lots of people, myself included, who wear religious jewelry as a cool thing to wear as oppsed to direct relation to one's beliefs. From prayer bead bracelets to catholic "medals", I think it is a personal style, so I would not immedietely think one is of a particular faith based on jewelry. With that being said, as long as we are involved in the spiritual needs of a patient, what we may think or believe shouldn't come into play, it is what THEY think and believe that we need to base spiritual and/or religious plans of care on. I had a patient who was a Wiccan, and she and her religious sisters were involved in a ceremony that had to do with her religious beliefs. I thought it beatiful and meaningful. I am not a Wiccan, but most certainly respect the right of the patient to participate in whatever religious ceremonies/prayers that they see fit.

brainkandy87 · Apr 16, 2012

Yeah, I'm an Atheist in the Bible Belt. I'm one of three liberals I know of in the whole hospital and without a doubt the only Atheist. As much of a joke as I consider religion to be, I don't openly mock people at work or anything. However, if they are trying to force it on me or debate me, I have no problem dissecting their beliefs. But it's usually not a problem. The only real problem I had was a nurse that had a filthier mouth than me (and I cuss like a sailor) but proclaimed to be this extremely conservative Christian blah blah blah. I'd call her on her ******** daily and tell her Jesus hated her.

ElizaW · Apr 17, 2012

I think that there's lots of people, myself included, who wear religious jewelry as a cool thing to wear as oppsed to direct relation to one's beliefs. From prayer bead bracelets to catholic "medals", I think it is a personal style, so I would not immedietely think one is of a particular faith based on jewelery.

You must be quite a bit younger than me. In my day Catholics wore crosses and Jews wore stars of David. I still think it's disrespectful to sport the iconography of a specific religion as a non-believer. As a Jew I was very offended when I saw Sarah Palin wearing a huge, conspicuous Star of David.

ElizaW · Apr 17, 2012

My clients invariably ask me what church I attend. That's when the wall goes up. I can't tell them the truth. They wouldn't accept it. So I say I am spiritual but not religious - not a lie, also no information about my religion unless you read between the lines.

I'm in a very Xtian area of the country. People here think it's perfectly OK to ask a stranger, "Are you a Christian." As a person raised in one non-Christian religion who now embraces a completely different, non-Christian world-view I find that question extremely rude.

JDougRN, BSN, RN · May 17, 2012

Pagan here as well- I have a pentacle that I wear, in the open. I've never had any issues with patients, although I love the LOLs who ask me "Oh is that the star of David? Are you Jewish??" Makes me giggle in a nice way.I actually have a larger than expected amount of ED patients who come in wearing Pagan jewelry, or sporting Pagan tattoos. Most of my non-Pagan co-workers don't recognize it for what it is. I had 4 seperat people (Not together/visitors) come in one shift with Pagan jewelry. I've only had one other nurse act like a putz when she realized what I am-- but it was a case of her being a butt-head about everything. I'll be moving to TN in a few weeks, starting in a hospital ED down there- we shall see what happens then.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 17, 2012

I'm spiritual, but not religious. I believe in God and the power of prayer, but I do not completely believe in man-made religions, especially the odious ones that expect parishoners and members to tithe a huge percentage of their earnings over to the church.

allnurses Guide · May 17, 2012

My beliefs line up with The Commuter. I was raised Roman Catholic. I renounce nothing and believe there is truth in all faiths. I pray and am spiritual but don't embrace any one religion, especially in today's political environment when so much is happening in the name of God that makes me hang my head in shame.

I don't discuss my beliefs at work. I am pleased though to work in an extremely diverse hospital with lots of different religions and nationalities represented on every floor and in every specialty. Its neat.

elkpark · May 17, 2012

I don't discuss my spiritual beliefs, or much of anything else about my personal life, at work. Things seem to work better that way ...

notjustanurse · May 20, 2012

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.

jmqphd · May 27, 2012

Hmmmm... interesting conversation. There hasn't been any "Xtian" input yet so, since I qualify, I'll put in my 2 cents worth.

I think what some of you have experienced is "being witnessed to." If you view it from the stand point of the witness' beliefs that unsaved people will suffer terribly forever (and this is very real to them) it is (not always, but often) genuine concern for you that they take the time to try to explain their faith and the Bible etc. to you. So, that is the best spin I can put on it. We live in a secular society and the social rules about discussing politics and religion with strangers is probably good policy.

But there are so many variants and shades of Christianity you just can't generalize. My beliefs arise out of the Genevan Reformation. The major point there is that God is sovereign over his church (duh!) and will gather its members as it pleases Him. Meaning, if God wants to save you, you will be saved. If not. You won't. It's refreshing for me to know that He is in charge of these things and not me. I used to be an "evangelical" like the ones you describe and I remember the heavy pressure that is put on everyone to go out and "witness". It's not that I won't do it... we are to be competent to explain our faith when asked to do so. (And yes, sometimes Christians are asked about these things.)

The real irony here is that all of this means I'm a Calvinist, and most Evangelicals are more suspicious of us than they are of Pagans.

Brainkandy... I was a sailor (or at least in the Navy) and I sometimes use very earthy language. But I try very hard to avoid profanity. I might get "earthy" at times, but would feel horrible if found myself useing God's name in vain. I don't know if puts me in the hypocrite pew or not.

I figured it might help to give you a real target so you wouldn't have to keep working over your straw men.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · May 28, 2012

You must be quite a bit younger than me. In my day Catholics wore crosses and Jews wore stars of David. I still think it's disrespectful to sport the iconography of a specific religion as a non-believer. As a Jew I was very offended when I saw Sarah Palin wearing a huge, conspicuous Star of David.

I have never worn a star of David, and I do think some jewelry is made to look quite close to an actual religious iconograph. And I mean no disrespect, however in my own personal beliefs I could perhaps take a lesson or 2 from a number of religious organizations......