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.
When I was a kid, my parents told me that there are two things that you never discuss and they are religion and politics. It seems that universal policy has went out the window. All people discuss anymore are those two things and they are constantly fighting about them. I find praying at work offensive. I come to work to do a job, not to be "saved". I don't force my non beliefs on anyone so other people should not be forcing their beliefs on me, especially at work. I am so tired of people coming up to me in stores or in public and asking me if I have found Jesus Christ. I am not looking for him so please stop it and keep your religion to yourself like it used to be.
It has to be done when the patient will ask for it. We do not want to force patient to do it. But I admire you dedication and belief.
I've had coworkers who are not religious at all who have declined praying with a patient. They've offered to get the chaplain or another nurse even for the patient, and that's always sufficient.
Just like we need to respect the varying beliefs of our patients, they ought to respect ours.
I think it's just plain tacky for a work meeting to begin with a prayer. Increadibly unprofessional.
Unless you work at a church or an explicitly religious-based facility (and, no, a hospital called "St Mary's" doesn't count), how can this possibly be justified in the 21st century? I guess I would just keep my mouth shut and not rock the boat. But, wow.
Apart from everything else, who has time to sit through a prayer before each meeting? They're enough of a waste of time already.
And LOL at the post that said in Texas "diversity" means Protestant AND Catholic.
I believe that if anyone really has a problem with the SC starting meetings off with prayer, they should just not participate. I just don't understand why it's such a big deal. I know that technically due to regulation 66.6 blah blah blah that yes, it may be a violation, but so what?
It's a hospice! People there are on a death sentence (I say this not to be cruel, but that is why they're there...), so whether the law wants prayer in the workplace or not, I say it would be best to let this one go, and if the facility wants to act on it then it's there perogative. But If I were a Nurse there I would just go about my business.
What ever happened to letting people do whatever they wanted as long as it isn't hurting anyone? I just went back and read many of the posts on this thread, and some people act like other people praying (or not praying for/with them or a pt) is the worse thing to happen in the history of the world? Why is it like this? Who gives a **** what other people do religion wise?
For the religious people-Why is it offensive if someone doesn't believe what you believe? How is it any of your business anyway?
For the non-religious people-same questions. Plus, why would you be "offended" (wow, that word is thrown around so much today, huh?) if a religious person wanted to pray with/for you? even if you're an atheist why do you not just be content that the other person is trying to be there for you?
I think people should just mind there own business regarding what other people's religious beliefs are. Life would be so much more peaceful that way.
I worked for a hospice company and we offered a prayer and praise session each morning at the end of morning meeting and it was optional to stay or leave. I must admit the office where I worked when the company was small we had almost 100% participation and everyone was happy and the company was thriving. As the company grew more nonbelievers were hired and the morale went down and more troubles began. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer!
Praying with patients who request or are receptive to it it is obviously fine.
I wouldn't be "offended", per se, by a staff meeting starting with a prayer. I would, however, be incredulous, amused and surprised by the lack of professionalism. Starting a staff meeting with a prayer is tacky, unprofessional and shows a total lack of sophistication or tact.
And, no, it's not some anti-Christian thing. I'd be equally unimpressed if the staff meeting started with some sort of new-agey earth-goddess chant. Both are equally out of place in a professional environment.
I worked for a hospice company and we offered a prayer and praise session each morning at the end of morning meeting and it was optional to stay or leave. I must admit the office where I worked when the company was small we had almost 100% participation and everyone was happy and the company was thriving. As the company grew more nonbelievers were hired and the morale went down and more troubles began. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer!
I believe that if anyone really has a problem with the SC starting meetings off with prayer, they should just not participate. I just don't understand why it's such a big deal. I know that technically due to regulation 66.6 blah blah blah that yes, it may be a violation, but so what?
It's a hospice! People there are on a death sentence (I say this not to be cruel, but that is why they're there...), so whether the law wants prayer in the workplace or not, I say it would be best to let this one go, and if the facility wants to act on it then it's there perogative. But If I were a Nurse there I would just go about my business.
So again, you wouldn't complain if it was wiccans wanting to perform their rituals?
Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)
What ever happened to letting people do whatever they wanted as long as it isn't hurting anyone? BECAUSE IF YOU WANT TO HELP, USE YOUR NURSING INTERVENTIONS, NOT PRAYER I just went back and read many of the posts on this thread, and some people act like other people praying (or not praying for/with them or a pt) is the worse thing to happen in the history of the world? BECAUSE ITS A FREE WORLD. IF I WANTED TO PRAY, ID BE A CHRISTIAN OR GO TO CHURCHWhy is it like this? Who gives a **** what other people do religion wise? I DON'T, JUST FONT TAKE UP MY TIME GOING THROUGH YOUR RITUALS
For the religious people-Why is it offensive if someone doesn't believe what you believe? How is it any of your business anyway?
For the non-religious people-same questions. Plus, why would you be "offended" (wow, that word is thrown around so much today, huh?) if a religious person wanted to pray with/for you? BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE EFFECTIVE THINGS YOU CAN BE DOING FOR ME. even if you're an atheist why do you not just be content that the other person is trying to be there for you? BECAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU THERE SHOVING YOUR BELIEFS IN MY WAY. DO SOMETHING FOR ME, DON'T ASK YOUR INVISIBLE BEST FRIEND TO HELP ME
I think people should just mind there own business regarding what other people's religious beliefs are. Life would be so much more peaceful that way. WOULD BE A LOT MORE PEACEFUL IF PEOPLE STOPPED FORCING OTHERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THINGS THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN
My answers are above in all caps, not yelling, can't change colors on the phone
Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)
msteeleart
231 Posts
When I was a kid, my parents told me that there are two things that you never discuss and they are religion and politics. It seems that universal policy has went out the window. All people discuss anymore are those two things and they are constantly fighting about them. I find praying at work offensive. I come to work to do a job, not to be "saved". I don't force my non beliefs on anyone so other people should not be forcing their beliefs on me, especially at work. I am so tired of people coming up to me in stores or in public and asking me if I have found Jesus Christ. I am not looking for him so please stop it and keep your religion to yourself like it used to be.