Prayer is it mandatory for nurses in Adventist hospital system???

[byrone]

Has anyone worked in the Adventist hospital system?

Are you forced to participate in prayer as a Nurse?

Do they have a prayer at all staff meetings?

By applications look appears like it is mandatory?

Will they hire you if you don't pray?

I saw the following on a job application for that system.

1. Some of our employees choose to have prayer with patients or other employees. This is a practice that is supported by Adventist Health. How do you feel about employee shaving prayer with patients and fellow employees?*

X

2. Many meetings begin with a spiritual thought or prayer. How do you feel about attending meetings where that would occur?*

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I work in a Catholic Health care system & have working in another faith-based system. Both of them supported "spirituality" in clinical practice. Neither forces employees to ascribe to any particular religious practice, nor do they require participation in religious services. Diversity is encouraged. Cafeterias list all of the ingredients on each dish - to accommodate anyone with food restrictions (meat, pork, shellfish, etc). A wide variety of holidays are celebrated.

In both organizations, meetings begin with a "reflection". The purpose is to ensure that everyone is 'centered' and 'present' for the task/work to be accomplished during the meeting. Some people use a prayer and others may use another means such as an inspirational reading, YouTube video, etc. There are guidelines about prayer... asking everyone to refer to "God" (recognized by most religions) rather than "Jesus" (only recognized by Christians) to avoid offending anyone.

I have a nurse colleague who worked at an Adventist facility. She told me that their cafeteria was 100% vegetarian so that may be difficult to deal with - LOL.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

It would be illegal for them to discriminate based on faith.

Those questions appear to assess your comfort with those around you doing this.

Prayer at meeting? Just sit/stand there respectfully, engage in self reflection, mediate, take a needed mental break or whatever, for those 30 seconds while others pray.

Someone's praying with a patient? Give them quiet and privacy to do so.

[elkpark]

I worked in an SDA medical center years ago (1996-1998). The official policy was that all meetings, including unit shift reports, were to start with a devotion/prayer. Most managers and charge nurses simply ignored that policy and no one said anything about it. For the few people who did follow the policy, the medical center provided an SDA book of healthcare-related devotions to use; most of them were generically "warm and fuzzy" thoughts without being particularly, specifically religious. There were a few times during the time that I worked there that I was expected to bow my head silently while someone else said a prayer. It wasn't a big deal. The only way most people would be able to tell that the medical center was SDA-affiliated was the cafeteria -- they did follow all the SDA dietary practices.

When I was interviewed at that particular medical center, no one asked me about my personal religious views during the hiring process. I was told about the policy (about devotions before meetings/shifts) and that employees are expected to participate respectfully (sit threre and keep your mouth shut :)). But no one tried to influence my personal views or beliefs. I guess that, if sitting quietly during a brief devotion would be a big problem for you, employment at an SDA hospital might not be a great fit. But they are great employers (at least, the medical center I was at was), and it doesn't seem like a great deal to ask that people be respectful of the fact that it's a church-sponsored and -operated system.

[AlphaPig]

No - I have experience in the Adventist system and am an atheist and no one cares. It is a religious atmosphere and they have services and prayers and bible verses read over the intercom but I work with Muslims and Jews and Christians and everything in between and no one presses any agenda.

[plaza]

When I graduated from nursing school several yrs ago, I applied for, and got, my first nursing job working for AH. I had to answer the questions as stated by the OP.

Faith is powerful for those who believe. While not particularly religious or god-fearing, I answered in such a way that indicated that I was in support of people (pts, physicians, nurses, etc.) who did pray, especially if it gave them courage and strength to go forward. Where I work, there are some surgeons who do a group pray prior to an operation, the chaplain gives a brief 15 min service in the AM, there are scripture verses all over the hospital. I have never attended a staff mtg that started w/prayer. I partake in these moments of devotion when I happen to be present. I bow my head in respect and use that time to quietly reflect. I do not feel put upon in any way.

I came into nursing late, it's a 2nd career for me. I have worked for AH for almost 5yrs and am a dedicated employee. Mgt really does try to do right by employees at the hospital where I work. The cafeteria recently expanded their offerings to include animal protein. They also have a coffee bar! Guess they realized that most employees and visitors were not strict Adventists and wanted meat products and stimulants.

I will retire in a few yrs., and I will almost certainly not be changing employers. I have nothing but good to say about AH.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Worked for an Adventist hospital years ago. They do not force you to pray. The reflections before meetings or shift huddles were quick. But never forced upon you.

They do not discriminate as I worked with people of many different faiths and atheist.

The big thing I noticed working was the cafeteria was vegetarian. Patients could have meat if they wanted.