Praying in the work place

Nurses Spirituality

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Hi everybody,

I'm three months into my new job as a hospice RNCM and have been learning a lot. I generally love, love, love my job.

My question today is about praying in the workplace. I know that Medicare requires a spiritual counselor on staff, but I also know that patients can refuse that service.

At my work place, meetings have recently started to begin with prayer lead by the SC. This seems a bit odd to me, coming from years of experience in the work world where things like prayer before meetings did not happen.

Also, I hear a lot of statements from fellow workers that I find offensive regarding patients having a hard time with EOL because they "don't have a belief system." They have a belief system, it just may not be the same as other people. From my limited experience, it seems people die differently, not relatable solely to their belief system. Some with strong beliefs have a hard time, others who don't believe find peace at the end.

I will pray with my patients all they want if that brings them peace and comfort, but prayer in the work place feels like a violation.

Thoughts?

Where are you from, Katie? :)

I do believe the chaplain is the best choice for the job, but sometimes I'm at a death in the middle of the night by myself. This doesn't make me uncomfortable. If my pt or their family is in crisis, then I will do my best to bring them comfort.

Prayer in the work place is a whole different ballgame though!

I'm in the UK. We are quite reserved about religion here, at least that is what I have found. People keep it to themselves. You mostly see outwardly religious people in immigrant groups, at least that is what I have found in my area. I would be quite surprised if a patient asked me to pray with them. Probably a little uncomfortable, although I would never let them know that. I likely would let them pray aloud and just listen quietly.

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It's only odd if someone decides to make it odd. In a day and age where we are all supposed to be open and tolerant of everyone, I don't understand the problem with it. I feel like we are living in a world where everyone wants you to be tolerant of their beliefs, politics, whatever, but those same people who rant for tolerance, don't want to give tolerance to others.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
If you are a Christian, I believe that you must not stand down because someone denounces Christ. I may not be right but I always pray with my patients, ask God to have mercy on their souls and then ask them if they have taken Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. What is EOL?

Who is denouncing Christ here?

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
If you are a Christian, I believe that you must not stand down because someone denounces Christ. I may not be right but I always pray with my patients, ask God to have mercy on their souls and then ask them if they have taken Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. What is EOL?

By the way, I would be asking for your manager if you tried this with me. It's very presumptuous to think that someone else's soul needs saving and that you (NOT YOU PERSONALLY) are the one to lead them to the path of salvation.

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Specializes in Gerontology.
By the way, I would be asking for your manager if you tried this with me. It's very presumptuous to think that someone else's soul needs saving and that you (NOT YOU PERSONALLY) are the one to lead them to the path of salvation.

If my nurse asked me if I had taken Jesus Christ as my saviour, I'd be demanding a new nurse. And please don't pray for me.

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If I pray openly (with words), I ask the patient and family first. If they decline, I still pray FOR them on my own. As a Christian patient, I would not be offended if a Native American caregiver offered me a charm with the belief that it would help me in my suffering: I would see it as a sign that I got a great nurse taking care of me!

Completely different than how it came across. As a Buddhist I wouldn't be offended by the Native American either, but the initial post came across as "I'm gonna pray whether they want me to or not"...as far as praying to yourself, hey, if I don't know, and its not interfering with you saving my loved ones life, more power to you!

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
If you are a Christian, I believe that you must not stand down because someone denounces Christ.QUOTE]

*** How often does that happen at work? What constitutes denouncing?

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It's only odd if someone decides to make it odd. In a day and age where we are all supposed to be open and tolerant of everyone I don't understand the problem with it. I feel like we are living in a world where everyone wants you to be tolerant of their beliefs, politics, whatever, but those same people who rant for tolerance, don't want to give tolerance to others.[/quote']

In my experience it is because I have to be tolerant of any Judeo-Christian religion, but when this white girl says she's a Buddhist I'm treated like I have a fourth eye.

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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If my nurse asked me if I had taken Jesus Christ as my saviour, I'd be demanding a new nurse. And please don't pray for me.

I used to think like this (personal experiences have made me very suspicious of any "Christian") however, a lady I work with is VERY religious, to the point that she walks around singing hymns. It used to annoy me like no ones business, BUT, she doesn't mean any harm and amid the chaos, the quiet singing is very calming, so if she wants to pray for me, though I don't believe it will do any good, I also don't see the harm. When I told her of my new job this morning and how beneficial it was for my family and I she proclaimed "praise god! What a blessing!" And well, though its MY accomplishment, nothing to do with any god, hey, she was excited for me--can't find the fault in that.

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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As a Jew-by-choice, (aka one who has "denounced Jesus as the 'savior'") I'm going to have to vote no on Christians preying on/with me... Do what you have to do, but please don't insult me to my face by disrespecting my beliefs.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
If you are a Christian, I believe that you must not stand down because someone denounces Christ. I may not be right but I always pray with my patients, ask God to have mercy on their souls and then ask them if they have taken Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. What is EOL?

You are at work to work. It sounds to me like you are doing some proselytizing while you are there. If you were my nurse and asking me if I've taken Jesus Christ as my personal saviour, there would be some problems. Religion is personal; let the patient bring it up, and don't force your views on your patients. Yes, I live in a predominantly conservative area, and no, I don't consider myself Christian. I would be highly offended by your question.

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Specializes in Hospice, home health, LTC.

I am always available to pray with my patients and family members, should they be open to it; it is a fundamental (I believe) aspect of nursing, and a predominant reason why I chose hospice. We are in a unique position to reflect God's desire (Jesus Christ) for all mankind thru His living Word - the Bible. However, should my patient or their family/friend decline such an offer I will treat and regard them no differently...everyone needs unconditional love.

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