When is it ethical to talk about religion with a patient?

Nurses General Nursing

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I was talking with a collegue the other day and she described a conversation with a pt where it sounds as if she were basically evangelizing. Now I had been told by my pastor (Catholic priest), who happens to be a medical ethics specialist and was at one time the chief ethicist for a large Catholic healthcare system. He told me that it's not ethical to try to convert pts and that you have to be very careful about this.

Religion is an awkward subject anyways, much like politics. I ususally follow the pts lead, or look for clues in the room as to their religious persuasion or belief system. But, then again, I don't personally believe people go to Hell just for their beliefs. I have one nurse friend who told me that she will whisper the name of Jesus in dying pt's ears.

Does anyone here pray with pts? I've done that a couple of times, but generally I treat religious beliefs as a private matter.

COnverting patients I believe does not belong at the bedside. However, if both the patient and the caregiver have the same faith and are sharing experiences about their faith I see nothing wrong..it would be like talking about child rearing or knitting or any other commonality the two share. Argueing one religion against the other or converting is a no no but as long as both parties are on common ground I see no problem if they pray together or partake in religous activities together.

the other day an elderly family member went into a convalescent facility and said to me "I hope they don't try to convert me"

I would dread the thought that this person, or anyone requiring hospitalization/institutionalization would be in a situation where they would dread caregivers trying to convert them. That is so intrusive.

the other day an elderly family member went into a convalescent facility and said to me "I hope they don't try to convert me"

I would dread the thought that this person, or anyone requiring hospitalization/institutionalization would be in a situation where they would dread caregivers trying to convert them. That is so intrusive.

Oh, that reminds me of my MIL who died this year at the age of 95. She had been a Unitarian all of her adult life, and the last 12 years of her life she lived in a fancy retirement apt and finally progressed to the assisted living section of this Baptist run facility.

The last 3 years of her life her memory severely failed and she had a few repetitive themes that she liked to discuss. One of these was how much she loved where she lived, and how it was "run by ther Baptists, but they never say a thing!". She was a Unitarian to the core and was firmly against evangelism of any sort.

I miss her, she was like a mother to me and sided totally with me when I divorced her lazy son. She was a math major back in the 30's (the only woman in the whole program), and went to China back in 1976, right after they opened it up to the west, without her husband who didn't enjoy traveling. She was so cool and also helped me through nursing school.

Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

i guess the closest time i ever got to converting someone was when i was working as an aide at a rehab hospital while in nursing school and a patient of mine had her friend an rn visiting her...well this friend the rn was crying because her friend the patient was facing another operation to correct the hip surgery that went awry.

anyway, once the rn friend left i told her the best thing she could do to get her away from the oh-pity-me crying was to pray for others...that this would possibly poor this healing energy through her and in the process help her to heal. all i can say that it helped her to center herself...

when i told my mom whose a nurse about this she was apalled and said that i should watch any religious actions on my part at work...this is not an appropriate behavior...and so on and so forth. :+) :paw: :paw: :paw:

[color=#483d8b]ps. i should add that the hospital that i work uses the motto"to carry on the healing ministry of jesus christ" ; so if i were to pray for someone at my hospital if they requested it would not be inappropriate.

Specializes in Critical Care, ER.

The most I've ever done is participate in a prayer session for a dying patient. I may engage in a neutral conversation about a patient's beliefs if they initiate it.... i.e if they want to talk about their belief system, I will listen. If I survived an ICU stay in which I was sick enough for someone to try to move me to their religious beliefs, I would not be too happy about it.

Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

Please remember even in Hispanic areas, that there are Marranos (people of Spanish heritage - whose ancestors were forced to convert during the Inquisition - and some of whom have converted back). Frequently, they may obey some traditional hispanic cultural practices, have hispanic names, but may still believe in Judaism.

This is OT but I've met a number of families like this. It's cool that they still have memories of their Jewish heritage even though so many generations have passed.

this is a really interesting topic. when reading the posts just now i was reminded of a conversation i overheard yesterday. two men were standing ahead of me in the checkout line. they were doing the usual small talk thing. suddenly the first one says, "do you know jesus as your personal savior?" the second man was a little taken aback, but replied that he had his own spiritual beliefs and that it was a personal thing. the first man finished his transaction and left, saying, "bless you brother". the second man was insulted that he was asked such a personal question by a stranger--everyone behind him got an earful! the first man, in his zeal to get a convert, probably turned the other guy off forever. this clueless guy probably thought he'd just "planted a seed".

anyway, something this personal needs to be shared within the confines of a close and mutually respectful relationship or it's meaningless. a nurse/patient relationship isn't normally one of those relationships--we just don't have the time. but, we should always listen and respect our patient's spirituality no matter what and do whatever is within our power to comfort the patient. i liked bsndec06's response: "is there any way we can accommodate your religious or spiritual beliefs during your stay?" that kind of response shows sensitivity, kindness and respect.

Hit and run evangelism really turns me off. St Francis said "Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use words"

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

It is ethical to talk about religion with your patient when the intent is to meet the patient's needs. Whether you agree with their religion or not does not matter.

I have prayed with patient's/families before, but I let them take the lead. Even if our religious views match to a tee...I still keep my personal involvement in such matters to a minimum, because it takes the focus off the patient and places it on me. (my views, where I go to church, who else goes to my church...typical questions you get down here in the south).

Absolutely offer to call a priest/preacher/chaplain for your pt if they are having spiritual or religious distress. These officials can offer my pt much more in that area than I can.

Hey... I would just like to know (there is alot of talk about what religion one believes in.. baptizing babies and so forth)... CAN WE TALK ABOUT RELIGION WITH PATIENTS OR IS THAT A NO-NO. I am a new nursing student and your advice is appreciated!! :)

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Hey... I would just like to know (there is alot of talk about what religion one believes in.. baptizing babies and so forth)... CAN WE TALK ABOUT RELIGION WITH PATIENTS OR IS THAT A NO-NO. I am a new nursing student and your advice is appreciated!! :)

Yes, it's o.k. When I admit the patient I ask their religion, it goes to a data base to our chaplain. A volunteer later offers Catholics communiun. I also ask if they would like hospital chaplin visits.

It's o.k. to talk about their religions. If they ask then it's o.k. to talk about your religion.

To approach a patient for the express purpose of saving their soul because you know as a Christian they are going to hell for eternity if they don't accept Jesus Christ as their savior that is wrong. Or if you're any religion for that matter. Or if you're an athesist to Christian/religion bash to a patient is wrong.

It's all about the patient and their needs.

Hope this helps.

Specializes in ICU/ED.

Dove you say it seemed the other rn was trying to convert the patient, but you weren't there for the entire converstion and don't know how the patient received this. it is all too possible that the nurse and the patient were discussing religion and each expressed their own opinon. i have discused religion with many of my patients without trying to convert or change their beliefs. i work in both the ed and the icu.

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