Nclex-pn

FrumDoula · May 29, 2005

Jewish people do not have priests. They are rabbi's. They don't even want priest's in the room (something like the spirits from the dead body could enter the priest...I looked up some info on the internet when I got home for this question. They also do not want any non-Jewish people in the room period for the simple fact that they consider the person defenseless therefore it is a good possibility that a family member will want to bathe them once they are dead. They also want the body cremated ASAP or sent to the morgue from this one site I got an answer from.

Just to clarify - I have NEVER once, in all the time I've been an Orthodox Jew, heard anything about the spirits from a dead Jewish body floating into a priest or any other such person. And I've done the tahara procedure, which is the ritual preparation for the dead.

The body of the Jew is not bathed in the hospital. It is prepared for burial by the chevra kadisha, a team of men or women (depending on the sex of the deceased) who are specially trained in the ritual surrounding this preparation. It's usually done at the funeral home, since there are special supplies we need to perform the tahara. Additionally, someone generally stays with the body until it is buried in the ground.

Jewish law FORBIDS cremation. Just because a particular Jew may choose it does not mean it's allowed by Jewish law.

Insofar as burial, Jewish law stresses the need to bury the person as soon as possible, with the maximum time being 3 days unless there are very extenuating circumstances. This is in large part because families cannot begin sitting shiva for their dead until after the funeral, and Judaism recognizes the need to begin the process of mourning as soon as possible.

When in doubt, a call to a Jewish chaplain sure can't hurt.

Cheers,

Alison

pickledpepperRN · May 29, 2005

Thank you, FrumDoula! I have always asked fmilies what they want us to do. And offer tissues and cups of water.

And thank you, poon120. It has been decades since taking the boards for LVN licensure. Then if one choice was. "Report to the RN" that was the answer.

The test was so easy! am glad school was so very difficult.

Or maybe that is why the test seemed easy?

Congratulations on passing! I think the test has become much more comprehensive.

poon120 · Jun 1, 2005

frum, you missed the point here. no where in any textbooks could I find info on the passing process related to nursing steps to take. some internet sites say cremation, some don't.regardless, can you answer this question?

suzanne4, RN · Jun 1, 2005

It actually is in some of the nursing books, was in mine.

We also covered this in school, guess it depends on which part of the country that you live in.

As the world becomes smaller, you will be taking care of patients from more countries as well as religions. Some have very specific requirements such as being buried before sun-up the next morning, etc. and it is very important to be aware of this.

Perhaps you could do a project on this for school, or your study group together. :) Or for the facility where you will be working.

FrumDoula · Jun 1, 2005

frum, you missed the point here. no where in any textbooks could I find info on the passing process related to nursing steps to take. some internet sites say cremation, some don't.regardless, can you answer this question?

Are you asking about nursing steps to take while a Jew is dying (specific to Judaism), or after the death itself? Two different things.

And just because an Internet site says something is allowed or practiced does not make it true or right. According to Jewish law (called halacha), cremation is forbidden. Some may choose it, but it's like a Jew who chooses to eat a ham and cheese sandwich. They can certainly choose to do so based on their free will, but it is not a choice allowed by Jewish law.

The last poster had a point about geography playing a role. New York nurses are probably more familiar with the concept of the chevra kadisha than your average Birmingham nurse. No offense to the good nurses of Birmingham. :)

Alison

mthood · Jun 1, 2005

Hi Folks,

I am a male graduate practicle nurse and found the comments by Poon120 useful-Sad if anyone took what was said personal or is so sensitive they see themselves as arbiter of all things religious. That said, does anyone have any suggestions or information about preparing for the NCLEX? I have been out of school for 10 years and haven't really ever worked in the field (nursing home for 3 mo. 10 yrs ago). I took the boards 3 times, I must pass this time. Open to any and all encouraging and positive feedback.

Mthood :rotfl:

FrumDoula · Jun 1, 2005

Hi Folks,
I am a male graduate practicle nurse and found the comments by Poon120 useful-Sad if anyone took what was said personal or is so sensitive they see themselves as arbiter of all things religious.
Mthood :rotfl:

It really has nothing to do with being sensitive - it has to do with clearing up a wrong piece of information on the Internet. I think it's silly to stand by and let people think that Jews don't leave the body alone because the spirit could float into another body.

I appreciate it when people clear up misunderstanding about religious content - I ask for clarification from Catholic and Christian friends all the time, because I recognize that various religions have set practices that need to be respected. Otherwise, a nurse may walk into the room and make a big gaff when they could have prevented such a thing. If a nurse suggests cremation to a religious Jewish family, it's not going to play well. (Particularly if the deceased is a Holocaust survivor.) Granted, you'll simply be written off as clueless, but it's better to be sensitive to those religious practices.

As for being an arbiter of all things religious, while I'm sure you weren't meaning to insult anyone, it has nothing to do with what I personally view Jewish law as. It simply IS. It's not like I made up the rules, any more than your average Catholic made up the rules regarding Church position on many issues.

It's important to be aware of such things before you walk into a room and look less-than-bright, when you could have asked someone who practices the faith and gotten a clearer answer than what the Internet may have to offer. And I think the NCLEX probably does have some psycho-social questions that require sensitivity on the part of the test taker.

Alison

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jun 1, 2005

I think the point was that some questions may be difficult to answer because it either wasn't covered in class, or it was difficult to find on the web. We covered cultural in first semester, and if I had that question on my nclex, I would have missed it also.

mthood · Jun 1, 2005

Alison,

Again, as was said in a thread before, you have missed the point. But, I am sure the world and the Internet at large is a better place for your efforts. It is not that deep or serious to have solicited such a verbose response. :rotfl:

mthood · Jun 1, 2005

Hi Tweety,

My comments weren't meant to be taken as anything more than a suggestion, a possiblility among enumerous possiblities. That said, calling women catty doesn't serve anything, especially in the category of accuracy-though disrespectful does come to mind.

Great point Steph

Mthood :rotfl:

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jun 1, 2005

Hi Tweety,
My comments weren't meant to be taken as anything more than a suggestion, a possiblility among enumerous possiblities. That said, calling women catty doesn't serve anything, especially in the category of accuracy-though disrespectful does come to mind.
Great point Steph
Mthood :rotfl:

I wonder if you posted in the wrong forum????? This is the nclex-pn question and I wonder if you were responding to "why nurses are catty".