Nurses and the LORD

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

I have been lurking on these forums for quite some time, specifically in the NCLEX forum. I noticed that a significant amount of members posting on this board post about god, and praying and the trusting in the lord to pass the test. I don't think that telling people who are posting for help passing the NCLEX to pray and it will work, is very fair to them at all.
I was wondering if nurses are generally a very religious group?
Thoughts?

Yeah. I notice a lot of ferverent prayer in the NCLEX forum. People can pray or not whenever they want, but it always did smack of desperation. No atheists in foxholes I guess (actually there are, but that's another discussion).

In general nurses are no more or less religious than other groups in my experience.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 30, 2011

I believe in God, and I certainly did pray for help in passing the NCLEX. But I also studied my hind end off and knew my stuff---after all, the Lord helps those who help themselves, and I believe that He provides strength and determination, not "easy A's".

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Jul 30, 2011

I feel there is a mix of people and beliefs in nursing, just as there is anywhere. Personally, I'm not going to say 'just pray' to those who are stressing before a test. I advise them to try and relax and mention that *I* always pray before a test (but not that they should).

I'm a Believer and I always pray before an exam. Not to help me pass because I didn't study, but rather to calm my mind and help me to recall the information that I did study. If I didn't study then I deserve to fail the test - I don't pray for God to save my butt because I was an idiot (well, not usually..lol). I will certainly pray before my NCLEX but I'm already prepping for it now and I still have 4 more semesters to go.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

Have you seen the movie, "Where the Red Fern Grows"? I watched last semester with my kids. There is a scene where the boy says, "The more I planned, the more real it became, And suddenly, I realized what Grandpa had meant. My share was to do the work. God's share was to give me the heart, courage and determination."

This resonated in me and really helped me to focus on my academic career last semester. I put a copy in my binder and I keep a copy of it now to remind me to work hard and to have faith. This quote really put my beliefs on God into a helpful perspective.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

Keep in mind that you may be seeing a skewed sample. I don't follow the NCLEX Discussion Forum as closely as I once did, but I do know that the forum is a big source of hope and help for a large contingent of internationally-educated nurses. I think this partly explains the number of religious references in that forum.

International candidate pass rates are often only around half as high as the US-educated candidate pass rates. With low pass rates, you're going to have more international grads requiring multiple retests. These brave souls be may hanging around the forum longer, and they may post with more urgency or desperation as their dreams get tougher. And the highest volume of international candidates - by far - comes from a nation that is >85% Catholic.

allnurses Guide · Jul 31, 2011

I think of prayer in terms of meditation.

It can help you refocus.

That said, I believe we are given the tools we need to succeed.

It is up to us to use them.

To rely on prayer 100% is akin to magical thinking.

That's my opinion.

Faithful Pau · Jul 31, 2011

Please, let toss my 2 cents worth..

FAITH without ACTION is dead, ACTION without FAITH is doomed of death..

I believe we all have our own battles to fight, and we all have our own hopes and aspirations.. Have you ever tried doing something that you do not believe in? It will feel empty, and incomplete, as compared to doing something that you find fulfillment in..

Believing and having FAITH in what you are trying to accomplish makes you jump higher, run faster, work harder...

This is how I personally feel when praying, I feel that completeness inside, that what I am trying to accomplish is what I have FAITH in... And for me, GOD is the GREATEST strength that I have... That He is believing in me, and supporting me...

I believe that GOD is my Creator, and who would know more on what I am here for than Him? Who better to ask what the purpose of an invention is than it's creator?

I believe an offer of kindness, such as offering to pray for people, is never an unfair or disrespectful act.. It like extending a hand to person who fell down.. :)

Now, everyone of us has free will to accept or ignore... No one is forcing anyone..

And it is true, what others have said, I would simply say what I believe, as any other person would, helped me accomplish my goals... and for me that is my GOD.. :)

And I would not hesitate to offer Him to anyone who seeks help..

these are my thoughts, my beliefs..

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Jul 31, 2011

It varies. Some of us are, some of us aren't - that's the way it is everywhere you turn. I'm not religious, but I do have beliefs. I can understand why someone may incorporate something about praying to God to pass their test into their post. It's their free right and if it makes them feel better/more confident, then so be it. :)

oklahoma~dreamin · Jul 31, 2011

I'm not religious and feel I'm somewhere between agnostic/atheist.

I do worry about how to handle patients and/or families that are religious and want me to pray with them or preach at me...just stay silent and smile I guess.....

allnurses Guide · Jul 31, 2011

I'm not religious and feel I'm somewhere between agnostic/atheist.
I do worry about how to handle patients and/or families that are religious and want me to pray with them or preach at me...just stay silent and smile I guess.....

We had a thread about this a while back. I would not say or lead a prayer but I wouldn't leave the room either because supporting the family matters more to me at that time and even if I close my eyes and think a positive thought for the patient or link hands with them I wouldn't feel it was any sort of breach of my personal rights to freedom of religion.

If (and it doesn't happen often to me) someone wants me to read their religious literature I will just politely decline saying I am happy with my current beliefs and never had anybody get abrasive about it.