How do you handle pointed questions from patients about your religious beliefs?

[grandpaj]

I've been a nurse just under a year, all of it in oncology, where I worked as an aide prior to becoming an RN. I'm not a religious person - I'm an agnostic with athiest-leaning tendencies. I love my oncology patients. I love their gratitude and I love being able to provide care for them during a difficult part of their illness. I love watching them recover after chemo and walk out of the hospital, although that happens less often than I anticipated when I started.

My problem, over the last year, is that I have no idea how to reply when patients ask me pointed questions about my beliefs. I understand that every one believes differently, and all must be respected. I have no issue with that aspect. But multiple patients and family members have asked me pointedly "do you believe in Jesus?" while sharing their religious beliefs with me. I hate lying because I feel like it's not ethical (although I have RN friends who tell me it is, because it comforts the patient), but I don't think my beliefs affect my ability to competently care for my patients. The issue is that I don't feel the patients see it that way. They want to connect with their caregivers, and part of that includes sharing their faith. Declining to answer, from my experience, seems to be the equivalent of telling them I'm not a religious person.

So, for those who have different religious beliefs than your primary patient population, what do YOU do when asked about your religion?

[FSUNurse2b]

I've been a nurse just under a year, all of it in oncology, where I worked as an aide prior to becoming an RN. I'm not a religious person - I'm an agnostic with athiest-leaning tendencies. I love my oncology patients. I love their gratitude and I love being able to provide care for them during a difficult part of their illness. I love watching them recover after chemo and walk out of the hospital, although that happens less often than I anticipated when I started.

My problem, over the last year, is that I have no idea how to reply when patients ask me pointed questions about my beliefs. I understand that every one believes differently, and all must be respected. I have no issue with that aspect. But multiple patients and family members have asked me pointedly "do you believe in Jesus?" while sharing their religious beliefs with me. I hate lying because I feel like it's not ethical (although I have RN friends who tell me it is, because it comforts the patient), but I don't think my beliefs affect my ability to competently care for my patients. The issue is that I don't feel the patients see it that way. They want to connect with their caregivers, and part of that includes sharing their faith. Declining to answer, from my experience, seems to be the equivalent of telling them I'm not a religious person.

So, for those who have different religious beliefs than your primary patient population, what do YOU do when asked about your religion?

Hi maybelaterRN,

You'll have to take my opinion with a grain of salt, as I'm not an RN, (yet). Currently working towards becoming.

I think probably the most "appropriate" response would be that you've made a committment to not talk about personal beliefs within the workplace. Lying, of course, wouldn't be appropriate. I suppose you could just be honest and tell them what you believe in, but my take is most of the patients asking if you "believe in Christ", is because it would be reassuring to them that their nurse is also a believer and that might make them feel comfortable or at ease. As the old proverb goes, "Birds of a feather, flock together".

I haven't really formulated in my mind, how I will answer questions like that, when I'm a nurse. Personally, I'm a Christian and I would feel very comfortable telling another fellow believer that I too believe in Jesus Christ. BUT, the patient asking might very well be a non-Christian, attempting to find out if if I'm a believer, which might make them feel very uncomfortable.

At the end of the day though, I don't think I'll have a problem telling any patient what I believe in, if asked (a few of the jurors are still out on this). My wife's an RN and she, from time to time, get's asked if she's a Christian. She is. And she answers truthfully.

Take care.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I start off by telling them that I usually don't discuss personal matters like religion, politics, etc.

Then I ask them if there is something of a spiritual matter on their mind since they asked me about my faith. If they do, then I contact pastoral care.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I start off by telling them that I usually don't discuss personal matters like religion, politics, etc.

Then I ask them if there is something of a spiritual matter on their mind since they asked me about my faith. If they do, then I contact pastoral care.

I think that is a great response, and a great way to follow up so their needs are met.