Are you a nurse with "alternative" spiritual beliefs?

[GadgetRN71]

If so, have you gotten grief from coworkers or patients because of it? Tell your stories here!!I'm pagan, and I'm pretty low key about it. I have nothing against Jesus. If he existed, I think he must have been a pretty cool dude. But, I don't consider myself a Christian per se. I've worn jewelry that represents my faith and gotten raised eyebrows and a few comments here and there, but nothing I can't handle. Patients have been pretty ok with it but maybe that's the pre-op drugs doing their job, lol.

[Zombi RN]

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.

[Imarisk2]

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!

[TLSpaz, ASN, RN]

I don't need spirituality to be empathetic and caring, just as I don't believe religion makes people empathetic or caring.

THIS!

[Merlyn]

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.

[JZ_RN]

I am agnostic. I do not believe in religions or specific deities. There are things that are decent and indecent, right and wrong in this world, and I do not need promises of heaven or threats of hell to know the difference or act in accordance with ethics and morality.

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

enlightening subject.

[Stonez]

Nice to know I'm not the only one out there...

[bloodklok]

im spiritual/the old religion/pagan

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I am agnostic. I do not believe in religions or specific deities. There are things that are decent and indecent, right and wrong in this world, and I do not need promises of heaven or threats of hell to know the difference or act in accordance with ethics and morality.

If religion were akin to a chinese food take out menu, I would have one of each. There are so many parts of every religion I find beautiful and meaningful. I am intrigued by religion of all kinds. I think if people strive hard to be kind, have compassion and to listen to others without judgement, it could describe the attributes of many religions. I don't like religion as big business. Making people give coptious amounts of money in return for "salvation". Promising people a cure if they "just pray enough". This is where it gets distasteful to me. As a baptized Episcopalian, who was brought up Baptist, who married a Catholic, who's middle daughter has embraced and converted to Congregational, who's own beliefs are most in tune with the Buddist/Unitarian religions with Jesus, I have just about seen it all. As a nurse, my focus is on what is going to make a patient comfortable and at peace. My beliefs just don't really matter in the scheme of my occupation. I make use of the hospital clergy as needed for a patient. My goal is not to religiously convert/imply. It is my duty to be sure that my patient, should they require/want have their spiritual needs met. And there's clergy who do that for a living.

[kabfighter]

It appears that my lack of belief is "alternative"...

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

If religion were akin to a chinese food take out menu, I would have one of each. There are so many parts of every religion I find beautiful and meaningful. I am intrigued by religion of all kinds. I think if people strive hard to be kind, have compassion and to listen to others without judgement, it could describe the attributes of many religions. I don't like religion as big business. Making people give coptious amounts of money in return for "salvation". Promising people a cure if they "just pray enough". This is where it gets distasteful to me. As a baptized Episcopalian, who was brought up Baptist, who married a Catholic, who's middle daughter has embraced and converted to Congregational, who's own beliefs are most in tune with the Buddist/Unitarian religions with Jesus, I have just about seen it all. As a nurse, my focus is on what is going to make a patient comfortable and at peace. My beliefs just don't really matter in the scheme of my occupation. I make use of the hospital clergy as needed for a patient. My goal is not to religiously convert/imply. It is my duty to be sure that my patient, should they require/want have their spiritual needs met. And there's clergy who do that for a living.

I'll 2nd. that emotion.

[LJ85, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN]

It appears that my lack of belief is "alternative"...

Why a lack of belief?