Would You Pray if your Patient asked?

Nurses General Nursing

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If a patient asked you to pray with or for them at the bedside, would you?

I had this discussion with some other nurses and the responses were interesting. Some said they would have no problem, others said it was too personal a request for a patient to ask, and others said they would call the chaplain as they felt it is a chaplain function only.

I witnessed one occurence where a patient asked his nurse to pray with him. Without hesistation, she took his hand and prayed a very nice non-denominational prayer. I realize not everyone can or might not want to do this, but it really brought solace to that patient.

Your thoughts?

Specializes in LPN.

Yes. I even pray for patients and staff who never know I do. I pray every day on my way to work for wisdom, common sense and guidance. A lot of nursing you can do on auto pilot. But theres a lot which takes a special edge, and I pray for that as well.

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definitely pray with them. and what the patient is seeking, is positive energies for well wishes and recovery. call it praying or not, they just want someone on their side. really, no big deal and no reason to take it so personally.

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I most certainly would pray with them. As a Christian I feel it is very important & although I would never impose my beliefs on them, if someone has a question, I will answer it.

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Specializes in LTC, HOSPICE, HOME, PAIN MANAGEMENT, ETC.

What an honor to even be asked to share this very "personal" and important part of a patient's life. I would and have prayed with and for my patients many,many times in my 30 year career! I think a patient would really have to trust to even be vulnerable and open to do this.Ijust realized how old this thread is. oh well. I am new to all this so we'll see what happens.

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Absolutely not under any circumstance.

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Specializes in LTC, HOSPICE, HOME, PAIN MANAGEMENT, ETC.

Oh wait...there are posts from today!! I thought it was APRIL!!! Well I do have so much to learn! I.d like to ask a question. I have sent a letter to the webmaster but have not received any replies. I have changed both computer and internet server(?) and am trying to find out how change my email info on my member information. ANYBODY KNOW?

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

I don't know what I'd do...since I'm not Christian I don't exactly pray, and by praying I'd feel like I was lying somehow...on the other hand, I could simply remain with the patient while s/he prayed, and wish for blessings from my own deities quietly...I really don't know what I'll do once it happens...

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Your thoughts?

I had a patient' daughter ask me the other night to pray to St. Jude, for the recovery of her very ill mother.

While I don't believe in Saints as defined by the Catholic church, (I didn't tell the daughter that), I was able to take a few seconds out during my shift, and I did ask The Higher Power to watch over the daughter and her mother.

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Your thoughts?

I had a patient' daughter ask me the other night to pray to St. Jude, for the recovery of her very ill mother.

While I don't believe in Saints as defined by the Catholic church, (I didn't tell the daughter that), I was able to take a few seconds out during my shift, and I did ask The Higher Power to watch over the daughter and her mother.

exactly....that's all that one needs to do. no explanations needed; just wishing someone well and leaving it to the powers that be, whatever form they take.

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Oh wait...there are posts from today!! I thought it was APRIL!!! Well I do have so much to learn! I.d like to ask a question. I have sent a letter to the webmaster but have not received any replies. I have changed both computer and internet server(?) and am trying to find out how change my email info on my member information. ANYBODY KNOW?

go to user profile and use the edit button.

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Specializes in Case Manager, LTC,Staff Dev/NAT Instr.

I would feel honored in a patient asking me to pray with them, I have prayed for my patients, doctors, and fellow nurses you need prayer in all aspects of nursing it can be stressful, when I was a LPN and worked in LTC I would sing "Amazing Grace" to my patients and you could see tears forming in their eyes because sometimes WE are all that they have, I can also remember praying by request with patients in hospice and most of the time prayer helped more than the pain meds. So if asked and you feel comfortable honor that request, it really means alot to them. I hope I don't get any negative responses this is our prayer:

Nurses Prayer

May I be a nurse, Lord

with gentle, healing hands,

who always speaks with kindness,

who cares and understands.

And while I'm serving others

as You would have me do,

please help me to remember

that I'm truly serving You.

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"...others said it was too personal a request for a patient to ask, and others said they would call the chaplain as they felt it is a chaplain function only. "

You're KIDDING!!!!

What are the scopes of Nursing? Are we not taught to consider ALL of a patients needs, including physical, psychological, emotional, SPIRITUAL??

OK, so prayer IS a personal issue. But so is a physical exam, counseling and practically everything we as Nurses do for/with/to our patients.

I won't argue with those who are more comfortable calling in a chaplain, but to believe it is NOT a function of Nursing..? What if prayer is the ONE thing that will make the difference for this patient?

Nevermind the various denominations or religions... any patient asking for prayer deserves to have my presence if that is their wish. At that point, I'm fairly certain my patient won't care if I'm praying to Jesus, God, Buddah, Allah or whoever... but the fact that I am open and willing to offer spiritual intervention may be just the inspiration a patient needs at certain times. I can only imagine what thoughts might cross a patients mind if I were to refuse to be present for them at this, their most vulnerable time of need.

Too "personal" a request to make from a nurse? I beg to differ.

Peace:)

I have been asked to pray for a mother. The daughter and I joined hands and prayed. The mother had a serious respiratory problem and the daughter asked to pray for her to have 100% 02 sats. While I (in my infinite wisdom) didn't believe that that was possible I prayed for the patient and her daughter. Well God answered her pray and reminded me that anything is possible with pray. Within the hour the mother's 02 sats reached 100%, the mother rested peacefully that night and the daughter stayed be her side. About two weeks later (while having an extremely bad night and wondering why I had chosen to be a nurse)....the ward clerk stopped me in my ranting and raving and told me there was a card at the desk for me. It was from the daugher thanking me for taking the time to pray and it reminded me just why I became a nurse.

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