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.
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....
I am not Catholic, but I find this sad.
What do people expect when they go to a CATHOLIC hospital??
I say shame on the Catholic system for caving and not standing firm and staying true to what they believe.
Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.
I am who I am because of who He is. It doesn't come with a choice to turn it off. I practice spiritual principles such as compassion, love, hope, joy, patience, tolerance, perseverance, humility, peace. I also have discerment, and common sense while on the floor I don't have time to try to preach or convert people. My faith has been such a gift and a blessing. I had a post once on here while working with students ( which I only did two classes then went back to the floor) about wanting to drop hints to them about faith. I quickly realized that's not cool or appropriate. I am very grateful for Allnurses that we can come here and grow and toss things around. As far as me saying there is no religon here to be lost..there was none involved. It is what it is. That's ok.
Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.
I am glad I work for a Christian association. Every once in a while we get patients who are not into faith. We respect what ever they want. I do agree that religion at the bedside is for the chaplains and ministers. I apologize to those who thought I was rude. :)
I am who I am because of who He is. It doesn't come with a choice to turn it off. I practice spiritual principles such as compassion love, hope, joy, patience, tolerance, perseverance, humility, peace. I also have discerment, and common sense while on the floor I don't have time to try to preach or convert people. My faith has been such a gift and a blessing. I had a post once on here while working with students ( which I only did two classes then went back to the floor) about wanting to drop hints to them about faith. I quickly realized that's not cool or appropriate. I /[/quote']
What you have said here is basically the point of this thread. Again, nobody is asking you to turn your religion off. I suspect the title of the thread is misleading but most likely chosen in reference to the song by REM. No one should be expected to actually lose their religion at work and nobody is asking you to do that, instead speaking to what you have said here -- it is neither "cool" nor "appropriate" to drop hints (or start overt conversations) with your patients about your beliefs UNLESS they ask. That's all!
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I am not Catholic, but I find this sad.
What do people expect when they go to a CATHOLIC hospital??
I say shame on the Catholic system for caving and not standing firm and staying true to what they believe.
The Catholic system who's high sxhool I attended and hospital where I first shadowed a nurse and worked as a volunteer was founded by an order of nuns who's call is to serve, as Jesus did. The only shame would be to turn someone away because they wern't the right religion.
Even though I am a Christian, I believe in all paths lead to God. I will not share my religion with a patient unless they ask. I believe that the way I live my life and treat others is the greatest testimony to my religion. I will to myself pray for patients and will pray with patients if they ask. I try as best I can to accomodate any religion or lack thereof. I agree with everyone else...it is not about me. No matter where you came from, what you have done in life (good or bad) or what/who you believe in, once you are on my unit I will give you the best possible care I can.
I guess this sums up what I believe concerning the subject. I'm a Bible-believing Christian myself, but I believe that all religions have at least some truth and validity to them. If a patient specifically asked me to pray with them, even a non-Christian, I would do it for them. And yes, I quietly pray by myself for all of my patients, without saying anything to anyone about it. I have in the past referred patients to the hospital chaplains. I have seriously considered getting certification of some kind in that area myself in the future. And I would never try to push my beliefs on anyone. Even atheists and non-spiritual people have a right to have their beliefs respected. My viewpoint is that you should let your actions and demeanor speak for themselves, and for those of you out there who are Christian, that is the correct way to witness for your faith in this type of situation. Trying to preach in this venue can actually be counterproductive. Some venues will call for you to be outspoken, this is not one of them. The God-given gift of discernment - pray quietly to God for that, in situations such as this.
The Catholic system who's high sxhool I attended and hospital where I first shadowed a nurse and worked as a volunteer was founded by an order of nuns who's call is to serve, as Jesus did. The only shame would be to turn someone away because they wern't the right religion.
I don't think patients should be turned away because they are the "wrong religion".
I just think it is absurd to willingly go to a Catholic hospital and then throw a fit because the Catholic hospital is engaging in Catholic practices!
Elle23
415 Posts
I am not Catholic, but I find this sad.
What do people expect when they go to a CATHOLIC hospital??
I say shame on the Catholic system for caving and not standing firm and staying true to what they believe.