Can nursing crossover with ministry?

RN403, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2015

We all have to overcome some degree of queasiness. There is something that "gets" to each and every one of us. We all make mistakes, too....nurses are human and humans make mistakes. As long as you learn from them and implement measures to prevent making the same mistakes you'll be okay. Sounds like hospice nursing might be a great field for you. Best wishes with whatever you decide.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2015

You could always be a parish nurse. I don't know how common they are because I've never met one, but I understand parish nurses exist.

Otherwise, I would dissuade you from mixing ministry with nursing for the most part. I almost never get asked to pray with someone - I can count the number of times that's happened to me on one finger. I don't offer - if you end up talking to someone who doesn't believe in God, you may have just put up a pretty good-sized barrier between you and the patient. It can be awkward when your religious beliefs disagree with theirs and they are offended by yours, as an example. I have had patients ask what religion I am less than five times. Generally, they are more interested in my marital status than what god/gods I worship, if any.

In short, religion is one of those subjects like politics and money that I don't think it's too smart to bring up in conversation with a patient you're going to be stuck with for 12 hours.

elkpark · Mar 31, 2015

OP, it sounds like you have found your previous clergy positions fulfilling in the larger sense but you say that they "haven't provided well." Please don't make the mistake of going into nursing because you hope you can largely continue what you've been doing as a chaplain/minister but just get paid better for it. If you go into nursing, it will be to provide predominantly physical direct care to people. Most employers actively discourage the nursing staff from "ministering" to clients in any religious sense and that is something that can get you into trouble at work. Also, you will not be popular with coworkers or your employers if you are spending time at work "nurturing others spiritually" and neglecting the actual nursing care you are supposed to be providing.

I hope that, if you decide to pursue this, it will be with a clear understanding that you are moving into a hands-on, physical care occupation. Parish nurse might be an option that would allow you to minister as well as provide nursing care, but those positions are few and far between.

I don't know you or your situation enough to have a clear idea of your interests or motivations, but I will say that I have known a fair number of social workers and counselors on psych units over the years who thought they wanted to become nurses because they felt that the nurses they saw at work were doing much the same thing they were doing (sitting around and talking with people about their feelings) but getting paid significantly more for doing it. In every situation of which I've had direct knowledge, those individuals decided, once they looked into what would be involved in getting through nursing school and getting licensed, and working as an RN, that that was not something they were really interested in or willing to do. How much have you looked into what would be involved in nursing school?

In any case, best wishes for your journey!

socialworknurse · Mar 31, 2015

How about nursing at a private faith-based hospice? I used to volunteer at one. I think your background would be an asset as a nurse in that setting. In terms of queasiness, have you thought about CNA work? I did that before nursing school to make sure I could actually do the not-so-great parts of the job.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2015

OP, it sounds like you have found your previous clergy positions fulfilling in the larger sense but you say that they "haven't provided well." Please don't make the mistake of going into nursing because you hope you can largely continue what you've been doing as a chaplain/minister but just get paid better for it. If you go into nursing, it will be to provide predominantly physical direct care to people. Most employers actively discourage the nursing staff from "ministering" to clients in any religious sense and that is something that can get you into trouble at work. Also, you will not be popular with coworkers or your employers if you are spending time at work "nurturing others spiritually" and neglecting the actual nursing care you are supposed to be providing.

elkpark said this so eloquently.

It is rarely if ever appropriate to share you ministry with patients. Even if they ask. A clinical relationship with a captive/vulnerable individual makes it imperative you keep your boundaries.

As other posters have mentioned there may be special situations where you are paid to bring religion into the workplace. But average nursing job not so much.

sourapril · Apr 1, 2015

As long as your believes don't interfere with your nursing judgement. I knew a public health nurse who doesn't believe in vaccination.....needless to say she didn't have her job for very long.

Columnist · Apr 2, 2015

Parish nursing would be a great fit where you could blend your pastoral care skills with nursing. In this specialty, you will be encouraged and expected to provide spiritual care to patients and staff alike. It can lead to an extremely fulfilling career.

If you are interested in exploring this specialty or have questions, I will be glad to answer any questions you have.

You might find some answers in the Parish Nursing forum.

Columnist · Apr 2, 2015

As a almost 20 year Parish Nurse and a regular part time hospice nurse, your comments are interesting to me. I'm glad you enjoy what you are doing in ministry. Since you already enjoy your current ministry, it might work out better for you to take an additional part time job to supplement what you are doing in the financial sense. Because truly, while rewarding, Parish Nursing is not known for "providing well." In fact, most Parish Nurses are on a stipend basis or are volunteers. As for hospice nursing, while you do at times have an opportunity to provide spiritual support, many times it takes the form of making a referral to a chaplain. As hospice nurses we provide well-honed assessment skills in combination with technical knowledge of symptom management issues--all that wrapped in a package of an attitude of true caring and acceptance. Because of this, hospices generally tend to favor hiring experienced RNs. Before you make any decisions at all in this regard, I would invite you to shadow a Parish Nurse and to volunteer in a hospice facility, then let God give you clarity and guidance.