religion in the workplace

Nurses General Nursing

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There was a ghost story thread about posessed people dying and taunting the nurses after begging them not to let them die. It inspired the question: How many of you are religious, and do you ever offer to pray for or with a patient whose frightened of dying?

elrondaragorn said:
3) Codes

I know of at least one priest who says if he can administer sacraments without being in the way, he will, and I think if a nurse can pray while working without getting distracted and compromising their efficiency, and if they are comfortable with praying according to the patient's religious beliefs, they could silently whisper a prayer for God's Mercy. If the person doesn't believe in God, it could be a big help if they find out they were wrong when they meet him.

I would be somewhat pissed off if someone performed a religious ceremony on me without my permission. If I die, I obviously can't be pissed about it, because I'd be dead. But if someone prayed over me or gave me some sort of sacraments or rites without my permission, no matter what the religion, I can't say I'd feel happy or respected about it.

I think that you contradict yourself, if I am reading this correctly. In your first point, you relate a story about a pagan practitioner who performed a ceremony on a Christian without permission, and how it could harm the Christian and everyone; then in your last point you advocate performing a Christian ceremony on someone, regardless if they are Christian, and state that it could be a "big help if they [the pt] find out they were wrong."

So, are you saying it is bad for someone to perform an unsolicited religious ceremony on a patient, or it is good for them? Or is it only good if it is a Christian ceremony, as that is the one true religion? A little arrogant and egocentric there, if that is indeed what you are saying, don't you think? I could be misinterpreting your point entirely, and if that is indeed the case, I'm sorry. I'd like to hear you explain yourself a little more extensively.

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Specializes in ICU's,TELE,MED- SURG.

I have been a Nurse for 28 years. I was taught NEVER do any religious anything , ever at the bedside. Family are funny. They can sue you based on you telling their loved on it's ok to let go and die. The problem is you will probably lose the case on the grounds of undermining family and the rights of the patient believe it or not. Instead, you call Clergy in and let them do their job. I also know that I have heard of Nurses getting fired for religion at the workplace. This is a sensitive subject. It's also against the code of ethics and standards of care in many hospitals so I would sidestep it altogether and let Clergy take care of it. Just be sure it was charted that a Rep from that person's religion came to give prayer like a Priest giving Sacrament for the Sick for ex.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

I am a Parish Nurse hired jointly by a hospital and my church....a Baptist church. I am one of about 30 Parish Nurses in my town and surrounding area. I pray with patients on a daily basis. I don't impose my religious beliefs on others. While most of the patients that I pray with are members of my congregation, I do quite frequently pray with patients and their families whom I do not know. These may be patients in ICU or the ER.......those in critical condition. I talk with them first about what they are going through. They usually express their fears, sometimes about dying. Many time they mention God or say something else to lead me to believe that they might like someone to pray for them. I do offer, and I have never been refused. Some even request prayer before I offer. They are quite appreciative that a nurse would do this for them. My church members are, of course, much easier to pray with since I know that they attend church. But even they are quite grateful for my presence and prayer. They know that I am concerned about their spiritual needs as well as their physical needs. I live in the "Bible Belt" and it is probably easier and more acceptable to pray with patients here. I have been present when doctors have mentioned religious concerns to their patients. And I have witnessed other nurses who are not Parish Nurses telling patients they would remember them in prayer.

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.
LadyNASDAQ said:
I have been a Nurse for 28 years. I was taught NEVER do any religious anything , ever at the bedside. Family are funny. They can sue you based on you telling their loved on it's ok to let go and die. The problem is you will probably lose the case on the grounds of undermining family and the rights of the patient believe it or not. Instead, you call Clergy in and let them do their job. I also know that I have heard of Nurses getting fired for religion at the workplace. This is a sensitive subject. It's also against the code of ethics and standards of care in many hospitals so I would sidestep it altogether and let Clergy take care of it. Just be sure it was charted that a Rep from that person's religion came to give prayer like a Priest giving Sacrament for the Sick for ex.

Hmm...I've never worked in a "non faith-based" hospital so I'm not familiar with type of thinking. It is not common practice for nurses to pray "over" patients where I work but it is fairly common to pray "with" them. I suppose if the family didn't ask for it and a nurse "made" them this could turn into a law suit but praying with patients is not against any "code of ethics" at any hospital I've ever worked at.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

My faith is a part of who I am, just like the fact that I have brown hair and hazel eyes. May not be for everyone, but for me it is. I don't leave it at home when I come to work any more than I do when I go to the grocery store. It's an inextricable part of me.

No matter where I am, I do not cram what I believe down others' throats; that is not what my God asks of me. I try to be an example without speaking a word. I'm not perfect but I try.

Personal stuff aside, every time I work, I read through the patient's profile to find out what, if any, belief system they follow. I also verify the info I find c the patient (very few patients that aren't a & o, so that makes it easier!!)...you can never be too sure when it comes to people's faith. I ask the patient if there's anything they need to be able to practice their faith in the hospital; if they want their bed facing Mecca and don't want pork, I do my best to make that happen. What can it hurt, really? If mom doesn't want her baby to get blood products should he need them while being circed (hopefully he wouldn't but we ask anyway), I put a big note on the crib, on the circ list for the docs, and in the circ room. You could use any number of examples. I personally may not see a need for them, or may disagree completely, but I respect the fact that it is meaningful for that patient.

I deal with a lot of Hispanic families and I speak fluent Spanish. None of our chaplains do. When I have a patient (of any race) facing a crisis, I ask if they would like a chaplain to come. I tell them the chaplain is there as a person to talk to for spiritual support, they can bring communion should the patient desire, they can pray if the pt wants, or pt can refuse totally. If they want their own clergy of whatever faith there, I offer to call that person or the pt/family can. If pt declines chaplain/clergy at that time, I respect that and let them know that if at any time they change their mind the offer still stands.

Back to the Spanish thing....I have prayed with many Hispanic families because there is no one else who speaks their language available. I have prayed with English speaking families who have requested it. I have had patients and family members of all races pray for me (now THAT is humbling). Every time it has been a very moving experience for all involved.

I don't think it is disrespectful to ask people if they would like a chaplain to speak with them; this is simply acknowledging the spiritual side of human beings. Some patients, esp those from other countries, do not realize that hospitals have such services and welcome them very gratefully. If my pt says no, or that they don't believe in XYZ, that's fine too. I make it clear that it's their call.

I realize this has taken a long time to get out, and I do not mean to sound superior to anyone else. Someone else probably does things a lot differently than me and does just fine. This is just how I go about dealing with the spiritual aspect of things when people are in my care.

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Patients and their families seem to pick up who they feel has a spiritual connection. If they ask I say a simple prayer, but I always ask the clergy to see each and every one of my terminal patients. Yes, it increases the work load, but when we consider HE carries the issues of the world, I think it is a fair trade. Some clergy are pushy, others are kind, others are formal, but the ones who are simply sincere always seem to help the most. No big deal, not rocket science, but the patients seem to appreciate being able to speak freely and openly of their fears. I just do not know how I could go through a day at work without prayer and attempting to follow the golden rule.

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I think I'll bow out now.....this thread is going where a similar one went last year and I just about got my head bit off. I got it reattached and would like to keep it right where it is......a little hard to sew when you can't see what you're doing.......

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Specializes in L&D/Mother-Baby.

Arwen,

I love your post. It truly reminds me of me and what I would like my nursing career to entail.

I am Christian and like you, carry it with me like I do my eyes and hair everywhere I go, however, I only let that part of me shine through like a light. I do not speak of it, unless I have to, or impose it on anyone EVER. I respect that each individual has their own beliefs and that we have to be cautious not to overstep those boundaries because spirituality and religion are sensitive subjects to many. However, if I am ever asked by a patient or their family to pray with them or for them, I would do so happily in keeping with the policies on my unit/facility.

I do know there are chaplains in every hospital that perform these services and I would definitely involve them since that is what they are trained to do in those situations.

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.
TazziRN said:
I think I'll bow out now.....this thread is going where a similar one went last year and I just about got my head bit off. I got it reattached and would like to keep it right where it is......a little hard to sew when you can't see what you're doing.......

Tazzi, you are too funny :lol2:

Think I'll stay out of this one too.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I for one am not about to bite anyone's head off, just for the record!!

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Thanks, Arwen, but if I say what I want to say, I guarantee someone will bring out the machete.

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You need to re read what i wrote. I qualified that seeming contradiction down further. I stated that if the person wants to be prayed over they should be prayed over, and I said that it would be disrespectful to do it against their will. You are saying you'd be pissed if someone did it against your will, and I never said it should be done against someone's will. I in fact said that is a failure to respect their wishes. I qualifieed that seeming contradiction with an "if clause" An if clause is formulated by a statement that if a certain condition is true, then it would be helpful. That is not a contradiction. If the pagan is right and we'll all become Gods after death, then pray the pagan ritual so they aren't reincarnated as a fly and swatted. BUT If Christianity is true, then Pray God will be merciful. No contradiction there.

queenjean said:
I would be somewhat pissed off if someone performed a religious ceremony on me without my permission. If I die, I obviously can't be pissed about it, because I'd be dead. But if someone prayed over me or gave me some sort of sacraments or rites without my permission, no matter what the religion, I can't say I'd feel happy or respected about it.

I think that you contradict yourself, if I am reading this correctly. In your first point, you relate a story about a pagan practitioner who performed a ceremony on a Christian without permission, and how it could harm the Christian and everyone; then in your last point you advocate performing a Christian ceremony on someone, regardless if they are Christian, and state that it could be a "big help if they [the pt] find out they were wrong."

So, are you saying it is bad for someone to perform an unsolicited religious ceremony on a patient, or it is good for them? Or is it only good if it is a Christian ceremony, as that is the one true religion? A little arrogant and egocentric there, if that is indeed what you are saying, don't you think? I could be misinterpreting your point entirely, and if that is indeed the case, I'm sorry. I'd like to hear you explain yourself a little more extensively.

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