I was so excited to get a job at the largest healthcare system in my state. They have an excellent reputation, all of my peers enjoy working there, and I was offered great pay and great benefits. I knew it was a Catholic hospital, and even though I am an atheist I did not think that this was going to be an issue as I respect all religious beliefs and will aid my patients in any way possible with their spirituality. I thought the fact that I am a compassionate person would be enough but am second guessing this after the orientation today.
I really enjoyed the orientation and otherwise would have had a perfect perception of the system. I am not sure if I am being overly sensitive or not so please give me your opinions.
I was okay with the two prayers and one blessing that they performed as I discreetly declined to participate. The only issue I had was with the system stating that their system has all management titled "ministry leaders" and that they must provide healing through the power of Jesus. This makes me worried that in order to be promoted I would have to pretend to be Catholic? (Of course I would not be willing to do this and would just hide my lack of beliefs while I am here)
I worked in a large Catholic healthcare and we really didn't pish Catholicism over all. Just a small prayer at night, a blessing during Ash Wednesday, and maybe an initial prayer. Our managers had normal manager names. Maybe since it was part of a large catholic network it wasn't overly catholic.
They did have a lot of catholic missions like supposedly providing care to all and stuff like that. I didn't like the way the insurance did birth control. They also only gave plan b out in case or rape. I didn't like the sti education we had but we never have it out.
I agree with wanderlust that Catholics are typically private about their faith and it's unlikely that anyone would try to pressure you to join in the prayers. I am an Episcopalian and we refer to ourselves as "Catholic-light", lol! It sounds to me as if you really pursued this job and are excited to be working in a nice facility. And, if the benefits are excellent as well, why not embrace it? This could be the job you were meant for. Best of luck to you!
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I am a Catholic and I've never heard of a "ministry leader" anywhere but in Evangelical Protestant churches. We are generally rather private about our faith as a group, although there is a minority called Charismatic Catholics who are more evangelical than we traditional Catholics. As for the idea that one has to practice the faith to receive promotions in a Catholic hospital, I'd be willing to bet that it's illegal, especially if the institution is one that accepts Federal funding (Medicare/Medicaid).
OP, if you are content with your job, your best bet is to do like your parents probably taught you: don't discuss religion (or politics) in public. This is probably not the hill on which you should choose to die. Good luck.
Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
I attended a nursing school connected to a Catholic hospital. I wasn't an atheist, I was just kind of generic, non-religious person at the time. I took the crucifix off the wall of my dorm room the day I moved in, and put it back up the day I moved out.
I wouldn't go around broadcasting your atheism, but I don't see that as being closeted. If I was asked, I just said "I'm not Catholic." and let it go at that. To the question "Where do you attend church?" (asked a lot here in the South) I just say I work weekends all the time. Sometimes to mollify a horrified questioner, I remark that you could look at it as me having a ministry of sorts, and "Wouldn't you rather have somebody working on Sunday with a happy heart, than somebody who'd rather be elsewhere ?" I never say that I consider it a ministry, I just let others fill in the blank. No harm, no foul.
I've worked at 3 different Catholic hospitals over the years, and like others have said, there's just crucifixes and little statuettes and paintings of Mary, Jesus, and Saints all over the place. Easy enough to offer to call the chaplain or priest, as you maybe have a time-sensitive IV med to infuse somewhere..... Some may say it;s lying, I just call it social-grease.
If you are an adamant and vocal atheist, then yeah, you could look elsewhere for a job; but the personnel at a Catholic Hospital are just interested in providing excellent health care.
Very interesting thread. I am not Catholic but I have worked for a Catholic Health system for quite a while. I have also worked in other faith-based organizations in the past.
Catholic Health organizations have to abide by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare. This is actually a very interesting document which outlines very specific expectations and obligations - such as abiding by all laws & avoiding 'scandal' at all costs... including refusing any association with individuals or organizations that have been associated with 'scandal'. I would encourage actually reading this before engaging in critical comments that may be way off base.
My healthcare system - like the vast majority of those in the US - was founded by nuns - not 'the church'. They were (and are) a very feisty bunch who had to overcome fearsome odds to establish schools, orphanages and hospitals throughout the US when the West was still very wild. There are a number of wonderful books chronicling their accomplishments.
Faith-based organizations frequently refer to their services as "ministries" because these efforts function as the physical representation of their mission. Each hospital has a chapel, and the local Bishop is usually invited to any important events, but as far as religious practices, my organization is ecumenical - very careful to demonstrate respect for all types of religious beliefs. Our HR policies recognize everyone's religious holidays/observances... but if you are claiming Yom Kuppur, you probably shouldn't try to take Good Friday off as well - LOL. I haven't noted any discrimination toward gay staff. In fact, several of our 'out' execs are very open about bringing their partners to social functions.
There is a definite difference in how we prioritize ethics & spirituality. We begin each meeting with a 'reflection'... sometimes it's a prayer, but most of time it is not. We have full-time mission/ethics staff at each location who are fully engaged in operational issues. We have a formal decision-making model that incorporates ethical principles. Providing Critical Incident Stress Debriefing for affected staff (after a traumatic or upsetting event at work) is standard practice. Salaried staff are encouraged to volunteer at least 4 hours during the week.. with any non-profit group we choose. There is a 'hot line' for any ethical concerns & staff are encouraged to use it. Ethics Committees provide 24X7 coverage to address issues.
Yeah, it's not unusual to see patients receiving sacraments upon their request.... but we also welcome Rabbis, Ministers, Pastors, Shamans (yep) and Curanderos. As long as it doesn't pose a safety hazard, it's OK.
Yeah, it's not unusual to see patients receiving sacraments upon their request.... but we also welcome Rabbis, Ministers, Pastors, Shamans (yep) and Curanderos. As long as it doesn't pose a safety hazard, it's OK.
Freedom of religion and freedom from coercion in religious matters is an important tenet of Catholic faith and is enshrined in the laws of the Church, so that doesn't surprise me at all. :)
I'm not Catholic, but worked at a Catholic hospital. It was one of the most loving environments I've ever seen in a hospital. There were icons throughout the hospital and many of the nurses wore crosses. That's about all I ever noticed. Nobody ever asked about my religion or whether I went to church, but there was a lot of talk between staff as to certain Catholic practices. I just minded my business. I would love to work at a Catholic hospital again for the reason that the morale seems to be so much better than other places.
Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
Yes, the hospital I trained at was started by the Grey Nuns of Montreal way back when, as a TB hospital. Interestingly, our nsg.cap was fashioned as a scaled (way) down version of their swooping head-piece.
I do remember, also, that once we were visited by Cardinal Cushing, a very tall, granite-faced, very imposing figure of a man. Our little nuns scurried around preparing for his visit, they were so excited! It was a very big deal to them.
Other than having a lot of nuns, past (ex) nuns, and future nuns around it was a pretty normal place.
Our graduation service did include communion; I guess a couple of noses got bent out of shape that I just stood aside and let the others go take communion, and resumed my seat after it was over. But, I didn't see taking communion as something I should participate in. I'm Protestant, had already eaten breakfast, and was surprised the Jewish girl in my class went ahead with the rest of the others, as she had said she didn't believe in it and wasn't going to do it.
Since I'm not Catholic, I didn't have the prejudice against the nuns I saw in kids who had attended Catholic schools all the way from kindergarten through high-school. They were just people to me, who had chosen a life-path that was outside my life experience.
I'm agnostic and worked in a Catholic hospital for a year. It was a little weird for me. There were prayers on the overhead speaker every morning and nuns in the hallways. They had religious ideals as a heavy part of their mission. The lack of sterilization and contraceptive options probably made me more uncomfortable than anything. I ultimately left because it was a horrible hospital to work for, but I will admit I'm more comfortable where I am now. We still have priest and chaplain visits at the patient's request and they often come for our dying patients.
heron, ASN, RN
4,662 Posts
I agree totally. That works both ways, though.