Question for atheist nurses

Nurses Spirituality

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I am just at the very beginning of my nursing education, so forgive me if I am being presumptuous, but my preliminary understanding of the nurse's understanding of the human is that we incorporate body, mind, and spirit. Those of you who profess atheism, do you utilize this understanding, or do you see humans as strictly body and mind? or something else I'm not thinking of? TIA!

I respect the patient not their religion. If they want to observe their religion, I'll do what I can to assist but I will not participate in those observances in any way. I am always very polite and courteous whilst doing so. I have the hospital chaplains pager # on the back of my badge to call them in at the first signs of danger... lol

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Hey guys! This is a really important topic, so I'm gonna let God's word do the talking.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Just to add..... When atheist nurses are dealing with the spiritual needs of Christians, it would be best to not refer to God as a "magical being". Those who believe in God do not view Him or His power as "magical".

*** Of course. I think your point is redundant. I am an atheist and believe your god, and all the other gods various people worship are creations of the human mind. Like magic, unicorns and many other things.

However my personal views are irrelevant when it comes to patient care. I would NEVER express my views to my patients. Give me (us) some credit. If my patient is religious and that brings them comfort then I will assist them. For example I am very happy to pray with them IF ASKED (and I am asked from time to time). I have several ready prayers memorized for various faiths. I will certainly assist them is getting support from an appropriate chaplain or other religious clergy. I can also whip up a native American ritual pretty quick (no open flames in the room please!).

As a nurse I find great value in a good chaplain service and very much miss the great chaplains I used to work with in a Catholic hospital.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Hey guys! This is a really important topic, so I'm gonna let God's word do the talking.

Pushing your religion on a thread directed at atheist nurses is the most important thing ever? Are you serious? That is offensive.

I am more agnostic than atheist. However, if a patient wishes to pray I will give them the space and time to do so. I will listen respectfully if they ask me to be present while they pray. I will not lead a prayer with a patient as that is outside my comfort zone. I will be more than happy to contact the chaplain. They are trained specifically to deal with matters of a religious nature. As a nurse, I am specifically trained to deal with nursing care. With all the duties expected of nursing, I will turn those duties that can be better handled by those with the proper training over to someone with that training.

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Knowing that Jesus came to save the world from death is the most important thing ever

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Knowing that Jesus came to save the world from death is the most important thing ever

Perhaps for you. However, not everyone believes the same. This is a forum for nurses, not a forum for proselytizing.

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Specializes in TNS, ECRN, CEN, TNCC.

Like a thief in the night

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Like a thief in the night

Yep!!

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

FWIW we atheists are the most distrusted minority in America. Less trusted than Muslims and convicted criminals. This makes us ripe for discrimination. I have experienced discrimination for no other reason than I am an atheist. Lucky for me nobody can tell I am an atheist by looking at me since I look and live pretty much exactly the same as my Christian neighbors.

Atheists identified as America's most distrusted minority, according to new U of M study : UMNews : University of Minnesota

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

And that is very unfortunate. For those of us who choose to not practice religion are free to do so...whether agnostic, spiritual agnostic, atheist, etc...and most people cannot identify who is what in the big scheme of things, especially in nursing, because our focus is much bigger than that. It is not about our personal views EVER...it's about the patients. We take care of our patients the same way, regardless of our belief system. Our main belief, as nurses, is holistic, ethical patient-focused care. We are bound to that because of our licenses to practice...anything else doesn't matter...AND it's really no one's business either...you don't need to "save" anyone, etc...we are fine on our path, and our personal systems, IMHO.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Perhaps for you. However, not everyone believes the same. This is a forum for nurses, not a forum for proselytizing.
but this is the spirituality forum where one would expect religion/spirituality would be discussed.

Personally I feel that it has little to do with my personal beliefs becasue a nurses personal beliefs should have no bearing on fulfilling the spiritual needs of the patient and you call their clergy.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
but this is the spirituality forum where one would expect religion/spirituality would be discussed.

Albeit a thread directed at atheists. Shouldn't the poster start his/her own thread with links to their church?

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