Religion Needed to be a Good Nurse?

ZASHAGALKA, RN · May 2, 2006

I think as a nurse, we can express empathy to our PT but there are also limitations. If it doesnt contradict our beliefs, I think its ok, but if it is something that is against our conscience and our spiritual beliefs, then we should tell them in a kind manner what we feel about it. Speaking of religious beliefs, may I ask and anyone can reply. My question is this., Does a nurse have the right to refuse treatment to a patient when it is against the nurse's religious beliefs or principle. Administering blood transfusions for instance, can we as nurses refuse to do it. Is there any particular law involved here.

Most hospitals in the States have policies that state that - IF YOU NOTIFY THEM IN ADVANCE of practice limitations based on religious beliefs, that they will try to accomodate that.

But, you can't wait till the task is assigned to you to say no; you have to tell them in advance.

I doubt someone that, for example, objects to administering blood transfusions, would be forced to do so.

But the other side of that is that you can't or shouldn't apply for a job where that is a major requirement and then say you can't do it: for example, an endo nurse that spends lots of time dealing with people bleeding, or an OR nurse etc.

As long as you respect the hospitals by not trying to work in a position where exercising your beliefs would seriously compromise your job, most hospitals will go out of their way to accomodate your beliefs.

~faith,

Timothy.

rogramjet · May 2, 2006

I think it would also depend on the circumstances. If it is an emergant situation and the patient is in immediate danger, I think the patient would come first. Other than that I think they would be pretty understanding.

buildingmyfaith57 · May 3, 2006

that is true you don't need to be religions to be a good nurse. its what in the heart and soul that really matters.

burn out · May 3, 2006

To fergus51 way back there on this thread, I do not understand how you can say you are a Christian but not believe in Christ, I thought that was the definition of chrisitianity.

I think as a nurse that we are expected to take care of all aspects of patients and to meet all there needs. If I can ask them what type of contraception they use and if they have had any veneral diseases I should be able to talk to them about their religoius needs also. I do not have to agree with them but I must see that their needs are met. In the mean time if they want to say a prayer for me well I could use all the help I can get.

Personally I could have never gone into nursing without praying for the Lord to use and guide my hands to do his work and I believe that this makes me a better nurse than if I tried to do it all by myself, for this reason I believe my patients benefit.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · May 3, 2006

To fergus51 way back there on this thread, I do not understand how you can say you are a Christian but not believe in Christ, I thought that was the definition of chrisitianity.

I'm sure fergus will respond, but I too know those who consider themselves Christians, while Evangelical Christians would not consider them to be so.

Some folks at my Unitarian church consider themselves Christians because they believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. They do not believe that he literally rose from the dead, etc, or any of the magical thinking (virgin birth). I respect many of the teachings of Jesus Christ, but I don't consider myself a Christian because I don't want to associate with any particular religion.

OnTheShoales · May 3, 2006

I am SO glad to be in Australia! The subject of religion almost never comes up here. It seems to be behind everything in the U.S. Here, we don't have people referring to "God bless this" or "I'll pray for you" that. People are people here, not members of denominations. Australia has had many churches that have closed, or combined congregations to form "Uniting" churches because they didn't have enough people attending to keep their sects going. And you know what? The people are generally honest here, nurses are decent and caring, and there aren't so many nutters bashing each other because their God told them it was OK. Except for Sydney last December. But that's Sydney... Go Melbourne!

I'm not a christian and am sick and tired of it coming up in every damn subject. If you're not a christian in the USa you're obviously nothing.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · May 3, 2006

Back to the original question, is religion needed to be a good nurse? This makes me think of something for those of us who are agnostic or atheist. Numerous surveys in the US show that a significant percentage of the population believes that one cannot be a moral person without believing in God. So an atheist/agnostic nurse could be perceived as likely immoral. That is a sobering thought for atheists/agnostics. Especially when sociology studies conclude that there are no apparent differences in daily moral/ethical behavior between those who claim a religious affiliation and those who claim to be agnostic/atheist.

This could have negative implications for atheist/agnostic nurses working with highly religious coworkers and questions of nurses conduct, etc.

JessicRN · May 3, 2006

Back to the original question, is religion needed to be a good nurse? This makes me think of something for those of us who are agnostic or atheist. Numerous surveys in the US show that a significant percentage of the population believes that one cannot be a moral person without believing in God. So an atheist/agnostic nurse could be perceived as likely immoral. That is a sobering thought for atheists/agnostics. Especially when sociology studies conclude that there are no apparent differences in daily moral/ethical behavior between those who claim a religious affiliation and those who claim to be agnostic/atheist.
This could have negative implications for atheist/agnostic nurses working with highly religious coworkers and questions of nurses conduct, etc.

Some of the meanest nurses I have ever worked with were the most religious.

ZASHAGALKA, RN · May 3, 2006

Some of the meanest nurses I have ever worked with were the most religious.

Yes, maybe so, but.

That is anecdotal observation without evidentiary basis. There is no proof there is a correlation to be had there. And EVEN IF THERE WERE, correlation is NOT causation.

Some of the NICEST people I've met are religious.

On the other hand, some of the nicest people I've met aren't.

~faith,

Timothy.

buildingmyfaith57 · May 3, 2006

when i decided to become a cna this is my opinion. i agreed to accept people for who they are. i don't care what religion that person is. im still going to help them to meet their needs.

jailnurse1033 · May 3, 2006

Our job as nurses is to support the patient in their beliefs. Their belief system comforts them. It's not about you, it's about the patient. For me this is very clear - part of my role is to try and facilitate the patients physical and emotional comfort. My personal beliefs are for my personal life.

buddiage · May 3, 2006

I'm not a christian and am sick and tired of it coming up in every damn subject. If you're not a christian in the USa you're obviously nothing.

Give me a break.

I there are a TON of websites out there that bash christians or any other religion for believing in a spiritual being greater than us, and they mock with a mean spirit. I HARDLY believe your statement to be true. I've seen vicious attacks from "enlightened, upright" athiests that are meant to bring people down and feel bad. And there are those that are on the flip side that say everyone is going to hell. Putting the blame on christians is a cop out...

How about letting people believe in a God or whatever, without getting wadded up over it? Anyone could waste their life away worrying about what OTHERS believe.

Let people live their lives and live your own. And maybe quit worrying about someone else making you "feel like nothing."