Nursing Spirituality

[EGspirit]

The reason I became a CNA was because the very first time I opened the textbook (and I was a total newbie-outsider to anything like that), I felt like I was looking at the Gospel. I felt like caring for people, and being good at it, WAS the Gospel. Now, I'm an RN, and I still feel that way. That a shift at work is worshiping God, and a really hard shift, is glory.

Sometimes I feel the world needs nurses, not priests. But that's me, and even by my own reckoning, I'm utterly insane. So, what do you think? Does nursing have spiritual implications for you?

PS. I tried to get rid of the oversized image of the Good Samaritan up there, but it won't let me, and it won't let me delete my post and start over either. Sorry about that. Next time I'll know to resize my images first.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

My intent is not to insult anyone, nor is it my intent to get bullied by a bunch of atheists. If I want that, I have other forums I can go to. What the hell is it with nurses anyway? Why are they often such bullies to people? Not that you have victimized me; I personally couldn't care less, but it has never ceased to amaze me how the cruelest eat-your-young bullies get into nursing.

When you tell me that my patients suffer because of my lack of belief, thats a fairly broad speaking statement with bullying overtones

You arent being bullied for your beliefs, people are taking exception to what you are saying because it comes across as extremely dooshy and unkind

If you don't serve God (and in nursing you get the opportunity to love your neighbor when they most need it--which is serving God), then you have no purpose for anything you do.

How do you think statements like this help your witness for your god?

Life is too short; it's too meaningless; everyone dies, so if you're just out there acting like some evolutionary automaton with no clear reason at all for the service you do as a nurse, then I think you are in a lost and sad place. I'd rather suffer and die than have you philosophical zombies caring for me (philosophical zombie...just Google it).

I hate to dispel this notion that because I don't believe in the christian god my life lacks purpose. I get to walk the journey of a patients darkest time in their life and to be a apart of helping people to achieve a good death and to support families as they mourn. (my primary area of practice is gerontology and palliative care).

As for you not wanting me as your nurse. Thats fine, because after the unbending religious zealotry and general lack of disregard you have demonstrated for your Areligious colleges in this thread, I'd rather not care for you either.

[elkpark]

How do you think statements like this help your witness for your god?

^^ This. I'm always amused by the "Christians" who come here to convince others that their religion is superior (in fact, the only true religion, which we should all embrace), and, in the course of attempting to advertise how great their religion is, thoroughly turn off any number of people who might have been interested or open to persuasion.

You're a terrific advertisement for Jesus, OP ...

[Wuzzie]

Heck the OP is turning off Christians. That's true talent!!!

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

My intent is not to insult anyone, nor is it my intent to get bullied by a bunch of atheists. If I want that, I have other forums I can go to. What the hell is it with nurses anyway? Why are they often such bullies to people? Not that you have victimized me; I personally couldn't care less, but it has never ceased to amaze me how the cruelest eat-your-young bullies get into nursing.

If you don't serve God (and in nursing you get the opportunity to love your neighbor when they most need it--which is serving God), then you have no purpose for anything you do. Life is too short; it's too meaningless; everyone dies, so if you're just out there acting like some evolutionary automaton with no clear reason at all for the service you do as a nurse, then I think you are in a lost and sad place. I'd rather suffer and die than have you philosophical zombies caring for me (philosophical zombie...just Googlle it).

How judgmental of a supposed Christian! I do hope that if you're seriously ill you don't waste time asking your caregivers if they are "philosphical zombies". They'll be too busy laughing to start your IV! You love your religion and feels it adds to your life-great. You do you. But you cannot and should not impose your views on others, especially to a profession consisting of people who often put others needs above themselves and work their butts off to help others. Religion is not a requirement to be a great nurse, or a great anything. If you don't like that, that's your prerogative, but stop with the denigration and name calling of others who don't feel the same way. Aren't we all God's children???

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

^^ This. I'm always amused by the "Christians" who come here to convince others that their religion is superior (in fact, the only true religion, which we should all embrace), and, in the course of attempting to advertise how great their religion is, thoroughly turn off any number of people who might have been interested or open to persuasion.

You're a terrific advertisement for Jesus, OP ...

I think OP is making Jesus sad.

[WestCoastSunRN, MSN, CNS]

It's unfortunate this thread went in the direction it did. I am a believer -- and actually prefer to keep that under wraps in many circles, including work. My faith absolutely informs every aspect of my life, but that's not something I need to explain to someone who can't relate. I feel like these kinds of conversations are the kind that should happen when two or more parties have earned the right, through true friendship, to share and receive each other's beliefs.

That said, many of my coworker's are fairly outspoken regarding what they don't believe in. And I work with the best group of nurses I have ever known. Regardless of what they believe, I can honestly say they inspire me (each one in different ways). Actually, I have no issues with self-esteem or self-worth, but I can recognize that some my "non-believing" friends/co workers possess certain aspects of morality much more solidly than I do. Some of the most moral people I know have beliefs regarding God and man much different than mine.

With risk of further upsetting the apple cart here, I'll share one facet of my faith: I believe all people are created in the image of God. And I can see it -- in my coworkers, in my patients...

I know non-believers have other words to describe why and how they value fellow humans. At the end of the day, aside from serious psych issues or narcissism or something, we all value people. That's why we do what we do as nurses. That's some good commonality.

But in real life I hesitate to share much at all about my faith, because I don't want to be boxed in or feel like I need to defend myself. Because people could make a lot of presuppositions and find themselves offended without ever taking the time to see if those preconceived notions matched who I really am.

Also, everyone believes in something (even if that something is 'nothing'), and that something eeks out of them whether they mean for it to, or not.

[khminh]

But in real life I hesitate to share much at all about my faith, because I don't want to be boxed in or feel like I need to defend myself. Because people could make a lot of presuppositions and find themselves offended without ever taking the time to see if those preconceived notions matched who I really am.

You are the type of Christian I can respect. As long as you don't ask me to to worship your deity, we are all good. I don't care about believers' manner. When they intentionally "share" the so-called good news, they are up to something.

Ignorance is my bliss. When I read the Bible and Christian, I get out of that safe place. When a Christian tells me to love Jesus, I know what that entails. Even if Christians don't say it, they cannot fool people who are well versed in the Bible. Their implication is clear: love Jesus or burn for eternity.

I like the way you put it because I think the same too. Until each person earns the right, until friendship is solid, sharing faith is not different from waving one's genital to another person's face.