Hey, everyone. I'm a first year nursing student in a BSN program and I just wanted to share a concern of mine. I've been reading two of my textbooks ("Fundamentals of Nursing" and "Physical Examination & Health Assessment") and am moderately surprised by the importance they each place on religion and spirituality, especially in regards to the patient. They make it out as though the spirituality of the patient is something that needs to be assessed and nourished when needed and that as a nurse, I am expected to be spiritual myself and understand the patient's religious needs. My problem with this is that I'm an atheist. I'm neither spiritual nor religious in the very least. I'm slightly offended by the fact that in the chapters devoted to spirituality, atheists are hardly mentioned, if at all. It makes it seem as though I'm missing a vital component of nursing and that believers make better nurses. I'm concerned by this because I don't want to have to compromise my beliefs (or lack thereof). How am I to relate to a patient spiritually when I myself am not spiritual? Don't get me wrong; I'm a respectful person and in no way do I infringe upon other people's beliefs. However, I don't view the spirit as something physiologically possible nor relevant. I aspire to be a nurse, not a priest or a rabbi or a shaman. I would be willing to go above and beyond for my (future) patient's, but I wouldn't expect someone to go against their beliefs for me. As a nurse, should I expect to have to pretend to be religious for the sake of my patients? If a patient asks me to pray with him or asks why God has "punished" him, am I allowed to reveal myself as an atheist? Of course I'm allowed to believe what I want and won't be forced to pray with a patient, but would it be in my best interest to do so? Some people may not think it's a big deal for an atheist to pretend to pray but it's the equivalent of asking a Roman Catholic to pray to Allah. It just isn't the most comfortable situation to be in. Not only that, but I don't enjoy the fact that these textbooks make it seem as though I wouldn't be as qualified as nurses with some sort of belief. I apologize for the ramble, but this is just something I needed to talk about and what better place than here ? I'd appreciate any and all responses. Thanks!
I had texts with similar sounding titles. My impression, or faulty memory, is that spirituality is the belief that one's life has meaning and purpose. I would think good nursing would support that belief. So, yeah, spirituality is important in nursing.
I hope it is just your memory because that is an astonishingly one sided definition. I am an unabashed atheists. That statement implies that my lack of spirituality means that my life has no meaning or purpose. I can assure you that I am FAR from that!.
I hope it is just your memory because that is an astonishingly one sided definition. I am an unabashed atheists. That statement implies that my lack of spirituality means that my life has no meaning or purpose. I can assure you that I am FAR from that!.
Spirituality does NOT equal religious belief or belief in a deity or higher power. For many it does. However, one can appear to be religious and not be spiritual. I think the fact that you have, by your own account, meaning and purpose in your life means that you probably have a healthy dose of spirituality running through you.
spirituality does not equal religious belief or belief in a deity or higher power.
for many it does. however, one can appear to be religious and not be spiritual. :yeah:
i think the fact that you have, by your own account, meaning and purpose in your life means that you probably have a healthy dose of spirituality running through you.
I guess I'm either the biggest hypocrite on earth or just old.
I am an atheist. I believe that we're all we've got, and we owe it to one another to be kind. If someone wants me to pray with them I say, "Sure. Do you have a particular one you like?" If they ask me if I think there's a Heaven and I see their worn Bible in their hands I say, "Of course." If they tell me they're fasting because it's Ramadan I ask if their Imam would excuse them for illness. If they tell me they're frightened I ask why, and if they believe in Heaven. If they say yes I ask them to describe it for me, and tell them their loved ones are waiting for them there.
I just don't give a darn about *my* beliefs in these situations. It's all about providing comfort to these suffering souls - oops, folks.
Really, at that point, what the heck does it matter? It's not like I'm telling the Dover School District to replace teaching evolution with creationism. I'm soothing someone in pain.
vlmusical, quite a few nursing theorists discuss spirituality; I think your early nursing school texts are preparing you to hear about them. Look up Martha Rogers and Virginia Henderson; Fay Abdellah and Jean Watson; also Callista Roy (even though she is a nun) and Margaret Newman.
? I'd appreciate any and all responses. Thanks!
workingforskies
103 Posts
I hope it is just your memory because that is an astonishingly one sided definition. I am an unabashed atheists. That statement implies that my lack of spirituality means that my life has no meaning or purpose. I can assure you that I am FAR from that!.