I'm an atheist. I am uncomfortable around religious situations. I haven't started nursing school yet (14 weeks to go). I'm concerned with being confronted with people that would ask me to "Pray for them" and stuff. I don't know if this is a common occurrence among patients, etc. Aside from not wanting to be included in religious sentiments, I also am very uncomfortable with lying. I think I would find moral difficulty with saying "Okay" to someone that would ask me to pray for them.
I'd prefer to hear from atheists how they deal with situations like that. I'd rather not get into a religion discussion, if it can be avoided.
I was trying to search for old threads, but the links from the search engine are not going to the correct pages.
I agree that I'm not perfect, I said so in my earlier posts. As far as how I sound to an atheist, I have no idea. I only know that from 20 years of talking with people of nearly all religions (and atheists) there has been an atmosphere of mutual respect. Words in print are not the same as spoken words. My tone or words can be easily twisted by someone that is repulsed by the mere word "Christian, God or Jesus" I could say "I love you" and someone that hates Christians could take those kind words and easily make me look like a fool if they so choose. What I said to "Loner" was with good intentions, and would be clearly respectful and kind by most people's judgement. For those that have a hatred toward God, I guess I'm fair game and have been throughly punished for my faith. Please stop. I haven't intentionally attacked anyone, but Loner and others have clearly attacked me without apology. I have apologized profusely myself.
sounds like you are getting the advice that you asked for. I might add some very good advice. When you become a full fledged nurse you will still be a human being. Humans are human. We are not invincable and no matter how perfect any of us thinks we are, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES. I hope that we all learn from them too. That is what is really important in your journey to becoming a nurse. Obtaining knowledge and using it effectively to care for your patients the best that you can as a nurse it is what you are trying to do! - and that my friend will be for the rest of your career. ( believe it or not nurses never ever stop learning no matter what area they decide to specialize in. )
You will mature as a nurse just as you have matured into an adult. This has growing pains too. The older you get the easier it will be to deal with all people no matter what type of "religion" they practice.
I can only assume by the rest of this post that the "religious" types that you have the most trouble with are Christians and probably the evangelical I gotta save everybody type. If I read you wrong please correct me. There are many ways to "react" when you are approached by someone wanting to prosilatise you ( convert you to their religion ). The best way is to learn not to "react" at all. Play it JOE COOL and leave em guessing about what you believe cause it isn't about you, it is about your patients and what they believe. If you are planning on getting your BSN you will proably be able to take a course in religion/ethics and I might suggest that you do. The more you understand different religions the easier it will be to care for folks that do practice a religion. In order for you as a nurse to give good patient care a part of that care plan does indeed include spirituality( or not) but it is always addressed in some way or another especially in beginning and end of life issues. I also suggest not working in a hospital that is religious affiliated, you will have an easier time at a large state affiliated institution. I say easier because you will have patients of all religions throughout your career and the sooner you learn to deal with your "reaction" to them in providing care the happier you will be with your decision to be a nurse. Best of luck, hang in there, focus on what is really important in providing the best care for your patients. :redbeatheLove what you do :redbeathe
What I said to "Loner" was with good intentions, and would be clearly respectful and kind by most people's judgement
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Your statements weren't respectful or kind. Maybe you 'thought' they were but they weren't. Hidden and subconscious condescension is still condescension.
i agree that i'm not perfect, i said so in my earlier posts. as far as how i sound to an atheist, i have no idea. i only know that from 20 years of talking with people of nearly all religions (and atheists) there has been an atmosphere of mutual respect. words in print are not the same as spoken words. my tone or words can be easily twisted by someone that is repulsed by the mere word "christian, god or jesus" i could say "i love you" and someone that hates christians could take those kind words and easily make me look like a fool if they so choose. what i said to "loner" was with good intentions, and would be clearly respectful and kind by most people's judgement. for those that have a hatred toward god, i guess i'm fair game and have been throughly punished for my faith. please stop. i haven't intentionally attacked anyone, but loner and others have clearly attacked me without apology. i have apologized profusely myself.
wow!
a persecution complex is a term within psychological discourse afforded to an array of complex behaviours that specifically deal with the [color=#002bb8]perception of being [color=#002bb8]persecuted for various possible reasons, imagined or real.
I agree that I'm not perfect, I said so in my earlier posts. As far as how I sound to an atheist, I have no idea. I only know that from 20 years of talking with people of nearly all religions (and atheists) there has been an atmosphere of mutual respect. Words in print are not the same as spoken words. My tone or words can be easily twisted by someone that is repulsed by the mere word "Christian, God or Jesus" I could say "I love you" and someone that hates Christians could take those kind words and easily make me look like a fool if they so choose. What I said to "Loner" was with good intentions, and would be clearly respectful and kind by most people's judgement. For those that have a hatred toward God, I guess I'm fair game and have been throughly punished for my faith. Please stop. I haven't intentionally attacked anyone, but Loner and others have clearly attacked me without apology. I have apologized profusely myself.
You should know how your words sounded to atheists because several of them, including Loner, told you!
Anyway, this discussion is NOT about christians or what they believe. It's about being able to offer spiritual support when you, yourself, do not share your pt's belief system.
You should know how your words sounded to atheists because several of them, including Loner, told you!
Anyway, this discussion is NOT about christians or what they believe. It's about being able to offer spiritual support when you, yourself, do not share your pt's belief system.
Exactly. Being raised in the Christian Reformed Church, I saw much hypocrisy. It totally turned me off from religion altogether.
I CANNOT stand someone trying to 'convert me.' I respect the beliefs that Christians have and do not insult them nor try to get them to change their ways. Nor should Christians try to change the ways of atheists, agonostics, Jews, etc.
Well, you got one last blow in right as I am about to exit. No need to continue the onslaught against me, as I will not be here to read it. Someone told me once to not apologize when you have done no wrong, but I did anyway. Maybe that was my mistake. (some think that apologizing makes one appear weak) I think we all know that the weak will be the first to be taken out, just like in nature. Best wishes to everyone and I hope that for the sake of your patients that you do not treat them as you have treated me here. Feel free to twist my words as much as you like without mercy, as you have already done.
If you think that ridicule will somehow make me respond in anger, it won't work. I refuse to speak to any of you in the tone of rage you have used against me. You claim I haven't used respect, when in fact respect is the very reason I have not insulted any of you. If not for me, for the profession of nursing please stop the attacks.
Play it JOE COOL and leave em guessing about what you believe cause it isn't about you, it is about your patients and what they believe. 
If you are planning on getting your BSN you will proably be able to take a course in religion/ethics and I might suggest that you do. The more you understand different religions the easier it will be to care for folks that do practice a religion. In order for you as a nurse to give good patient care a part of that 
Feel free to ask anyone here. When I 'get blows in' EVERYONE knows it and then I get in trouble.
romansten9
51 Posts
I agree that I'm not perfect, I said so in my earlier posts. As far as how I sound to an atheist, I have no idea. I only know that from 20 years of talking with people of nearly all religions (and atheists) there has been an atmosphere of mutual respect. Words in print are not the same as spoken words. My tone or words can be easily twisted by someone that is repulsed by the mere word "Christian, God or Jesus" I could say "I love you" and someone that hates Christians could take those kind words and easily make me look like a fool if they so choose. What I said to "Loner" was with good intentions, and would be clearly respectful and kind by most people's judgement. For those that have a hatred toward God, I guess I'm fair game and have been throughly punished for my faith. Please stop. I haven't intentionally attacked anyone, but Loner and others have clearly attacked me without apology. I have apologized profusely myself.