Ah, the lively religious debate. As nurses, we all take care of a multitude of patients, all with specific, and sometimes not so specific, emotional/spiritual needs. And unless one works within a religious entity, here's my take on why a nurse's own religion needs to stay in the nurse's personal life.
Ah, the lively religious debate. As nurses, we all take care of a multitude of patients, all with specific, and sometimes not so specific, emotional/spiritual needs. And unless one works within a religious entity, here's my take on why a nurse's own religion needs to stay in the nurse's personal life.
1. Patients do not come to a facility seeking religious conversion. So a nurse should never take advantage of the fact that patients can be fragile, they may be in the bargaining portion of their grief process, and they do not give medals for saved souls.
2. Patients in general have their own set of religious values, beliefs, circumstances therefore, do not come into a facility to be converted into a nurse's own. If you are somehow "appalled" at someone's religious traditions, know your resources, and how to contact them to assist the patient.
3. If faced with a patient that is life or death, they have stressors that the nurse can empathize with, but we really have not a clue the unique circumstance that a patient is feeling. Act ethically as a nurse, not the time to push religious agendas.
4. We are required to meet the spiritual needs of a patient. Not ourselves.
5. Patient have the right to change their mind. When faced with a life and death there are and will be patients who decide to drop their religious restrictions. It is their right to do so. Please do not try and then convince them otherwise.
6. There are multitudes of people in the facility, the community, who know a heck of a lot more about one's particular religion than perhaps the nurse does. Use them.
7. It is interesting to know and understand someone else's religious beliefs. So take note for future reference. There are multitudes of religious and variations thereof in the world, so it can only help next time if a nurse has a general idea.
8. It is a huge grey area to participate in a religious act while someone's nurse. A nurse can pray for someone privately at home if you are so inclined.
9. There are certifications for nurses to become religiously affiliated should that be your forte.
10. Be respectful, but set limits to your participation, to your thought process in religion, and always have a plan "b".
If you are not comfortable with providing certain care due to your own belief system, then what? Always have a plan of action if this is the case. Remember, you may have a patient who is not religious at all. That requires just as much respect and support as the devoutly religious.
Compassion and empathy are not exclusive to any particular religion dogma, or no religion, nor will a nurse particularly "go to Hell" if they are providing ethical care to a patient. Patients have choices, and if a prudent nurse is acting in the best interest of what a patient wants for treatment at any particular point in time, all the better for it.
People are not even responding to each other on this thread.
Christians say things like, "If a patient wants me to pray with them, I will"
Then the others respond with things like, "You can't force your religion on others, it's all about the patient."
Uhh, hello? These two sentences don't even conflict. It's like the two sides are talking with their backs to each other. Each says what they want but neither hears the other side all while the argument escalates because people only hear what they expect the other side is saying. I would bet that both sides would actually agree on quite a bit if not all of proper actual nursing practice.
People usually have opinions for good reasons, even when they're your opponent's.
I find it very interesting that the people who scream the loudest about "leaving your religion at home" don't think that there is anything wrong with speaking profane at work when patients can hear them talking about their drinking binges, discussing politics when patients are clearly uncomfortable, or sharing their marital/relationship problems with patients by bashing the other side, and there are many other examples.[/quote']
That's a bit of a generalization, don't you think?
I would say one can't lose what one does not have. Its obvious there is no religion here to be lost. It is what it is.
I don't believe this is an accurate statement. I agree with the OP and think it is absolutely appropriate to "lose" or rather leave your religion at the door when you go to work. Just like political views should be.
The OP is not saying "don't have a religion". The message was simple and professional: leave your religion out of patient care. If the patient requests a prayer and you can provide it, go for it! But in general, I do not think it is professional to divulge your personal spiritual or religious beliefs to patients.
And to assume that someone calling for professionalism has no religion is a narrow minded view.
Interesting thread, couldn't read the whole thing, but is had to put in my $.02. I'm about as atheist as can be--no god, no messiah, no spirits, afterlife, etc. However, I've been fortunate enough in my life to have had a Jewish roommate in college, worked with numerous Hindu, Muslim, and other religious and cultural health care folks. Because of these experiences and relationships, and also because of my curiosity, I am pretty well knowledgeable about a wide variety of philosophies.
As much as I don't believe in any religion, I DO believe in freedom of religion and all forms of thought. I have had the opportunity to comfort grieving patients by assisting them to deal with their grief with the knowledge I have of their belief systems. I always ask them first what their beliefs are, and I don't have to believe the same thing to help them.
On the other hand, I have had to come to the assistance of a Jewish patient whom an over-zealous Christian psychiatrist told, "you know, your people killed Jesus" in my presence.
Dealing with religious ideation is a little tricky in my specialty, psych, but to me it's a matter of degree. I think all religion is delusional, but if it doesn't bother the person, or impair their functioning in life, who am I to judge? As most of the posters have said, we're nurses to help the patients realize their best, not ours.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I find it very interesting that the people who scream the loudest about "leaving your religion at home" don't think that there is anything wrong with speaking profane at work when patients can hear them, talking about their drinking binges, discussing politics when patients are clearly uncomfortable, or sharing their marital/relationship problems with patients by bashing the other side, and there are many other examples.
Those things are unprofessional and I hope nobody here would engage in that behavior though all of us have probably witnessed it. Please understand we're not knocking your faith or your freedom to freely express it. That is clearly full of meaning that those who don't have your background can never fully understand...this is something included in my nurse's training 38 years ago. We meet the patient where they are in spiritual/religious care and refer them to the appropriate clergy or chaplain services.
Whoa.... Lose my religion when I go to work?? Are you serious? My religion (the Lord Jesus Christ to be more specific) is all that I have and all that I am. I am nothing at all without Him. How exactly, do I lose the One who is with me and in me and who carries me through each and every shift? I don't just shut off my religion like a light switch. It doesn't work that way![/quote']
That isn't what the OP is saying at all! OP is saying that no matter what your beliefs are, what matters is the patient and their beliefs. Nobody is saying to literally lose your religion, just not to present your own views on your patients, who may have different beliefs. It's their health crisis, not yours, and your beliefs, while of course serving to guide your care of your patient, aren't meant to "take the stage" so to speak. Keep it inside and let it guide you, but don't expect your patients to share your views and please don't attempt to change that.
If patients do not know I am a Christian I am doing something wrong... And that has nothing to do with expecting patients to share my views or convert. I am what I am by the grace of God. I don't cease to be what I am when I clock in at the job.[/quote']
That is not what I am saying and that's not what the OP is saying. Nobody is telling you not to be who you are! But if I am scared about the results of a test, don't suggest to me that I should pray to Jesus to help my fears. If you want to silently pray for me, please do, but I don't want you to take my moment of fear and suggest I pray to Jesus when that is not what I believe. THAT is what we are saying.
You are who you are, and who you are is Christian. Be that. Nobody is saying that you shouldn't be while you are at work, the OP isn't speaking as literally as the title of the thread suggests.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Here is the deal.....no one is asking anyone to "lose their religion" it's a euphemism.
Even the best patient, who asked you to pray, can report you for "preaching" to them and you will find yourself in hot water. I have seen it. Patients feel it intrusive...even if they believe the same thing. Each nurse will have to judge for his/her self whether the risk is worth it.
If it is...then so be it. However, be prepared for the consequences. I worked for years in a Catholic facility. I loved morning blessings and that mass will be celebrated in the chapel...I miss that feeling of familiarity of peace. They are no longer said because of religious freedom and those who are not catholic were offended....sometimes being PC isn't what it's cracked up to be. sigh....
It is about the patient and not the nurse. Regardless of your personal beliefs....I believe it just doesn't belong at the bedside.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I find it very interesting that the people who scream the loudest about "leaving your religion at home" don't think that there is anything wrong with speaking profane at work when patients can hear them, talking about their drinking binges, discussing politics when patients are clearly uncomfortable, or sharing their marital/relationship problems with patients by bashing the other side, and there are many other examples.
I think those nurses are unprofessional regardless of their religion....or their verbal regurgitation of their personal life. By no means are all nurses who feel religion should be left at home unprofessional. It is a constant battle with my teens about over sharing in any circumstance. Social media has given people verbal diarrhea that I find puzzling.....what is up with this over sharing????
I am for leaving religion at home.....with my personal life. It is NOT my patients business to know my business. Oh, I share certain things, like I have a crazy camera hog weimaraner, or my children did such and such ....if the conversation warrants it.....to make the patient feel I am sharing (although, heavily edited for privacy sake)....patients want to feel comforted and less vulnerable.
Mully
3 Articles; 272 Posts
People are not even responding to each other on this thread.
Christians say things like, "If a patient wants me to pray with them, I will"
Then the others respond with things like, "You can't force your religion on others, it's all about the patient."
Uhh, hello? These two sentences don't even conflict. It's like the two sides are talking with their backs to each other. Each says what they want but neither hears the other side all while the argument escalates because people only hear what they expect the other side is saying. I would bet that both sides would actually agree on quite a bit if not all of proper actual nursing practice.
People usually have opinions for good reasons, even when they're your opponent's.