Interview for a faith based hospital; advice please!!!

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Hey guys,

Some background; I had an interview about two months ago for my dream job. All was going well, but then the person asked me some faith/religious questions.. not gonna lie it through me way off. Was not expecting nor prepared for those kinds of questions. I felt pretty good about it up until then, and I honestly feel like I got discounted because the person wasn't feeling my answers. It's weird because I have interviewed for a different faith based hospital, and they didn't ask me anything like that, probably why I got the job then LOL.. Anyway, oddly enough I'm being offered another interview for a different position, but I still don't know how to go about it; I don't want to lie and even if I tried I don't know how when it comes to these questions. Advice anyone? Or experiences? Thanks

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

"I respect everyone's religious beliefs." "I've contacted the Chaplin's office for client's requesting prayers / emotionally or spiritually upset for additional support". "Offered to bring bible, prayer card for patient spiritual support." "Requested Ethics consult/Chaplin support for patients dealing with difficult situations: removing loved one from life support, patient refusing feeding tube but family desiring one, forgoing chemotherapy., struggling to consider Hospice when no further curative care warranted."

Idea is facility looking to see if you can help foster patients spiritual support.

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Specializes in VA, Ortho, Med/Surg.

Just say you believe in God? It doesn't get you to heaven but it's worth a try

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I would think even in faith-based organization they can't discriminate based on those things. I am surprised you were asked about your faith or lack thereof.

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Specializes in Oncology, ID, Hepatology, Occy Health.

I don't know where you are but have you looked into the legality of such questioning? In many European countries such questions are not allowed at interviews, along with not asking about political beliefs, sexual orientation, childcare comittments, plans to get pregnant etc.

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Specializes in VA, Ortho, Med/Surg.

Have to agree with David. Something isn't right.

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Specializes in PICU.

A PP stated they may be looking to see how you will support a patient/family spiritual needs.

Most places do not want to know your specific beliefs but how as a nurse you will foster that aspect of pt care.

The PP who gave advice on the wording is a good idea.

You want to not turn this into a your belief, but make it about the patient care.

I know of nurses of all spectrums of beliefs and they are able to ensure it is about the PATIENT's beliefs.

Just steer the conversation that way. Remember they are interviewing you about your skills and ability to care for patients.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
On ‎8‎/‎14‎/‎2020 at 11:37 AM, DavidFR said:

I don't know where you are but have you looked into the legality of such questioning? In many European countries such questions are not allowed at interviews, along with not asking about political beliefs, sexual orientation, childcare comittments, plans to get pregnant etc.

I had the same thought. IMO that question was out of bounds.

As far as seeing if you can foster spiritual support, that isn't your role as a nurse. If it is a faith-based hospital, I am sure that they have people on staff whose primary duty it is to see to that.

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Specializes in oncology.

 

48 minutes ago, Orca said:

As far as seeing if you can foster spiritual support, that isn't your role as a nurse.

Quote

Nurses have an important and vital role in offering brief spiritual interventions. By addressing hopelessness, isolation, and broken rituals, nurses can greatly improve the spiritual health of the patient

Spiritual support is part of the nurse's role. Were you thinking of religious support?

 

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On 7/26/2020 at 11:15 AM, didi768 said:

Just say you believe in God? It doesn't get you to heaven but it's worth a try

That's funny!

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Specializes in PICU.

 

8 hours ago, Orca said:

I had the same thought. IMO that question was out of bounds.

As far as seeing if you can foster spiritual support, that isn't your role as a nurse. If it is a faith-based hospital, I am sure that they have people on staff whose primary duty it is to see to that.

But it is a Nurse's role to foster spiritual support. A nurse should be able to foster this support., meaning... recognizing the patient may need a chaplain, asking about it, if a patient is asking about communion or wanting a blessing to be able to find the appropriate people is something we can all do

For example. about 10 years ago I was caring for this very sick peds patient, parents were so stressed. They had mentioned a lot about their faith and church, etc. I asked them a few questions about how they were coping, etc. Through my assessmentg questions, it came out that they were missing "First Sunday" and really wanted to have Communion. They were feeling stressed about missing church, and felt that this was really needed for them.  I was able to contact our Chaplain who was able to bring the parents this request. Afterwards they had a little less stress and also were able to get a blessing for their child as well. 

This was fostering spiritual support.  I didn't really know the significance of First Sunday, but to them it was very comforting to be able to have Communion.  

Nursing is about the care of the whole patient and family

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
On ‎9‎/‎23‎/‎2020 at 9:29 AM, londonflo said:

 

Spiritual support is part of the nurse's role. Were you thinking of religious support?

 

Semantics, but essentially yes.

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