Nurses and religion

I guess this is one of those posts I have to preface with my beliefs, eh? :) I'm a very open-minded Christian, non-denominational. I actually did run the gamut prior to settling there - everything from atheism to Buddhism (I really had a habit of making my family scratch their collective heads when I was in my early 20s).

I've honestly never had any conflict that arose from a patient's religious beliefs. I live in a very diverse community. I've certainly worked with people whose roles were very different from my own due to their religious beliefs, but it's really never been a problem. Like everything else in nursing, I accept patients and families for who they are and do what I can to treat them with dignity and respect. That's really the golden rule, in my opinion.

I am not currently a nurse but am pretty set on becoming one and was wondering how nurses dealt with responding to patients with conflicting religious beliefs. I don't think religion is that big of a deal, but i have come into contact with people (especially in times of illness) where religion becomes a huge deal.

Have any nurses who aren't religious/affiliated with a religion had difficulties connecting w/ patients who are religious? Has it ever been a problem? any insight?

Much thanks!!

I have been a nurse for almost 5 years, and deal with death/dying fairly often. This has never been as issue for me. I maintain professionalism and provide the pt and family support. My personal religious beliefs are not a focus when a pt is dying or sick. The focus is on them and family. I try and arrange for the hospital chaplain or a priest to come and do last rites/ect as appropriate if it is what the pt desires. I try to fulfill whatever spiritual needs I can as I think it is important to many when they are sick and especially at the end of life. But the fact that my personal religious beliefs may conflict is a nonissue. We as nurses should check our beliefs at the door during our shifts and pick them up on the way home. Its really not about us when someone is dying in my opinion.

Hasn't been a problem for me.

I'm spiritual but not necessarily religious. I have not had any problems with patients or families and their relgious beliefs. I recognize that religion can be a huge source of comfort and support for many, many people and I try to recognize that. If I have a patient who has a rosary in their room, for example, I'll make sure the family knows that I can call them a chaplain or priest if they would like someone to pray with them. They always seem very appreciative especially if the patient is not doing well. I would be willing to pray with a family if they asked me - I may not share their beliefs but that doesn't mean it will hurt me in any way to offer them that support.

What lauren said.

I never give my opinon regarding my beliefs unless asked. Since I am so busy usually there is no time to deal with that unless it directly affects care. Like no blood products or dietary specifications. If a pt were to say anything about god to me it stops there. I am Catholic but prefer to keep to myself since beliefs can be very different from person to person. I respond kindly but do not offer anything back. No pt has responded poorly to me.

Outside the hospital I can see where it would come into play. Hospitals are for people who are sick. Not much time to contemplate anything except care of the pt. I think the pt's understand that too.

Thank you so much for your responses... I'm happy to hear this hasn't been a problem for anyone.

I have been looking at the curriculum for a lot of different nursing schools and have seen many with nursing courses strongly tied to religion and required chapel attendance ... that coupled with all of the hospitals with religious affiliation... I didn't know how strongly religion tied into the entire occupation.

I realize there are plenty of schools and hospitals that aren't tied to religion... but the overwhelming majority seem to be.

Thanks for the input!

Not an issue for me, either. I will provide what I can regarding obtaining a Muslim or Catholic chaplain (depending on their faith), and I am open about religious expression. I don't discuss my personal views, even when asked, because it is not about me, it is about them. I can leave my spirituality at the door when I go to work with no problem.

Being an atheist has actually been an assest I think. I have no set of rules to tell me that my beliefs are right and everyone else is wrong. I find it to be liberating and very accepting of any belief system. I have no troubles connecting. Just my personal story

One of the best thing about school they teach you about religion and diversity. Finding out about different cultures was one of best lectures i had.

Our hospital has on-call chaplains at all times. I think this is absolutely wonderful because I do not follow a religion, but had a patient / patient's family who was very strongly tied to the church. The patient's son wanted to someone to pray with him when his mom passed. The chaplain was there and able to fill that role. I did not feel comfortable doing it for two reasons - a. I didn't know any prayers or what to say to be appropriate to their religion, b. I felt like it would've been dishonest of me to pretend to be something / believe in something that is not me, especially when a family is so vulnerable, I would almost feel like I was lying to them I guess. But, like I said, the chaplain was there, and is always on call for death / emergency situations.

Leave your religious beliefs at home. Keep them private. If a patient brings their philosophy/beliefs up to you always acknowledge them as being important. It doesn't matter if they believe in a tree god, faith helps heal. I have joined in prayer with a patient and family ath their request. I also would not have had a problem saying noA hospital is not a place to preach on your perceived need to "bring people to God." The Lord understands that such a change needs to take place when a person is not under stress. When they can truly think and receive. You can always refer the patient to a chaplain if they say "yes" to the question. Otherwise keep it professional not personal.

To me, it's not about my beliefs, but about the patient's and their family's. I guess it also helps that I hold to the belief that all gods are one god so it doesn't matter much to me the name you call your god by.