Today, while attending my final day of orientation at a new facility (I am a travel nurse... this is my 20th orientation in 8 years) the nurse educator, while discussing meeting patients' spiritual needs, asked the 30+ nurses in attendance, while raising her own hand in the air, "How many of you are Baptist?" (two hands went up) "How many are Catholic?" (three hands) "How many are Muslim?" And she continued to ask.... "Jewish? Hindi? How about Atheist?" I then interrupted her and said, "Umm... I don't think you can ask these questions." She then replied, "Well, you don't have to raise your hand!" Is this legal? Honestly, she was an excellent educator. Having attended so many orientations over the years, I must say she is really good at her job. But am I being petty or did she cross a serious line? I plan to say nothing to anyone, on my unit or in HR... at least, not until my contract has been completed, as my job is to show up and be the very best nurse I can be. But I strongly feel one is not permitted to ask a co-worker, especially a new hire, about their religious affiliation or beliefs. I have had patients ask me about my religious or political preferences, and I always answer the same, in a gentle tone with a pleasant smile: "My personal choices have nothing to do with the quality of care I will provide you over the course of your hospital stay, nor am I permitted to discuss them. Now, is there anything I can do for you?" Am I wrong, or was she out of line?
Specializes in Blood Center Collections, Quality and Regulatory A.
I have found that those of the majority (aka Christian in the US) religous belief are more likely to share (as a bonding item). Those in the minority (may have experienced prejudice) are less likely to share. Sometimes these questions are from a positive desire to learn :), sometimes not ....
I am not of the Christian faith and I can assure you that here in the bible belt it can get interesting... I think that perhaps the instructor could have chosen a different approach to diversity than an in your face "I'm Baptist and proud of it...". Maybe she could have said "I'm gay and proud of it..." just to test the waters!
I think it's a little inappropriate as well, but I don't think it was way of out line or anything. I agree with the above poster, someone that is in the minority may not be comfortable sharing. The speaker should have realized that this might make some people uncomfortable. Religion is a touchy subject.
I am not offended by questions re. religion. If you follow your belief to the letter, then you shouldn't have fear. Now, if 30 days later as a worker, you're persecuted re. your beliefs, then this issue needs to be raised up. Were you (or others) persecuted in the meeting for your answer? If you're (or others are) not . . . then it's part of a presentation and you need to throw aside the whole "politically correct" attitude that has permeated society and allowed people to get WAAAAYYYY to sensitive.
Her question was about sharing diversity. Before asking the question, she proudly stated her religious beliefs, even stating, "I am proud to be a ****".... Immediately followed by asking the group theirs. And she didn't ask anyone to share. Had she, I would have felt a little more comfortable with the questions. No, I take that back. Pretty sure HR would frown on that kind of question. It doesn't matter! It won't (or shouldn't) impact or change the level of care provided! If it does, one should re-think being a nurse!
Oops I didn't read that part. Nevermind, I changed my mind. Yes, that is out of line.
It sounds like she was demonstrating the fact that your organization is made up of people from all different faiths to make a point, which sounds fine by me.
I (an atheist) actually work at a religiously-affiliated facility, but the only time religion's been discussed has been amongst staff at work. A couple of us were talking about the differences between all the different Christian denominations, and I was critiquing not Christianity in general, but the Calvinist viewpoint of Christianity. In an attempt not to be misleading, I clarified that I was an atheist, but that other flavors of Christianity I don't hold any negative viewpoints for-- just the one fostered by Calvinists. Anywho, that wasn't the smartest move on my part as one of the coworkers I'm less familiar with took it upon themselves to try and convert me. They even bought me a copy of Mere Christianity, which I read and scathingly critiqued.
It's all on friendly terms, but obviously such a hot topic has the potential to go bad very quick. I think one must be mindful of what they discuss and with whom while at work, if only not to burn any bridges.
I think it was in poor taste. I think I understand what she was getting at.....perhaps to show the diversity of the group or something.
Me, I would have handled it differently though. As a travel nurse, we already have a bullseye on our backs. No need to flaunt said bullseye and dare someone to aim at it by calling them out on their orientation processes. I would have just let it go on, ignored it, not raised my hand for anything. Then go back to business. But thats just me.
With all due respect to my betters, I think something was missed by some who posted. This quote is from the first sentence of the original post:
"...the nurse educator, while discussing meeting patients' spiritual needs..."
With that phrase in mind, I'm not certain that the purpose of the discussion was to have all present accept and celebrate their diversity, then share a group-hug.
I doubt there is much of a spiritual dimension to automotive repair. But, is there reason to believe that care of humans requires a different approach than that used by a mechanic? Are a patient's "spiritual needs" a legitimate part of physical healing, and therefore open to discussion? Is it a Nurse's function to help meet the spiritual needs of the patient? Is a disservice being done by the Nurse who refuses? Or can a Nurse of a different spiritual orientation (or one who is firmly against such things) than the patient still provide support?
Specializes in trauma, ortho, burns, plastic surgery.
Please don't fell it like an agression. I will let you know a HR secret, looooool, learnt in Cambrain era, lool, when Zuzi didn't worked like RN, looooool
Each organisation IF is a big one and special IF is guvernamental funded IS MUST to be agree and fallow couple of principles. One of it is DIVERSITY!
So what they do is TO BE diverse. If they will hire ONLY jewish or muslims or christians, only women or men, only white or only black, only heterosexuals or only other orientations...they fall the principle of diversity.. and is REALLY BAD!
So they didn't target you in any how... they just wanted to know if all of categories are represented in them institution!
Nobody will wanted to converted you in anyhow and anyone will not try to abuse you based on your religion. If this will happen, please make notes with facts and witnesses.
Be open... be happy to hear about and share this life experiences dosen't matter from where they came or just say "sorry I don't want to talk about". Generally people don't do it with a "by purpose" reason, but just to be friendly.
Look at me.. I was to a sinagoga and i started to drink ONLY kosher wine and use JUST Kosher salt, loool, I love arabian restaurants, and Kebab is one of the woanderfull discover of universe, looo, I love the music in catholic churches and if I will confess ever I will do to a baptist pastor, I belive in fairies and angels in the same time, buddha is one of old loves of mine.
srahamim, ASN, MSN
33 Posts
I have found that those of the majority (aka Christian in the US) religous belief are more likely to share (as a bonding item). Those in the minority (may have experienced prejudice) are less likely to share. Sometimes these questions are from a positive desire to learn :), sometimes not ....