Religion in Nursing Practice

Katnip, RN · Jul 17, 2005

There is a book called "Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul."

allnurses Guide · Jul 17, 2005

Welcome - there are quite a few threads on this topic but I'm not sure how to access them except by the search engine . ..

They are all worthy of reading . . .

steph

2007_RN · Jul 17, 2005

Welcome - there are quite a few threads on this topic but I'm not sure how to access them except by the search engine . ..
They are all worthy of reading . . .
steph

Hey thanks to both of you! I will buy that book and I will search for those threads. I was unaware of them so I thought I would start one ! :)

God Bless

Cher

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jul 17, 2005

Hey sister :loveya:

I work in a family practice. We had a patient come that was a regular, so I knew her a little. When she was leaving I saw that she was crying. I asked her what was wrong and she explained that she was going through a divorce and that her husband had made up a bunch of lies to get the kids and that she could not even see them. (Her husband was a real creep, and I mean a REAL CREEP. He was a patient of ours too and he is the kind you leave the door open when you are getting his vitals) Any way I asked her if she wanted me to pray with her. She said yes. We went back into a room that was not being used. I held her hands and prayed for her. Her sobbing stopped, I gave her a hug and she said she feel much better.

I saw her in the parking lot of Safeway the other day and she was with her kids!

I do not know how this would work in a hospital setting though, being that you do not know the people as well as regular patients. I am sure there would be a few people that might be rude to you if you bring up "God and religion and stuff" but even people that are not believers, when I have told them I would pray for them they have always thanked me and seemed to apprieciate it...

live4today, RN · Jul 17, 2005

:balloons: Hello, and welcome to Allnurses! :)

Stevielyn's right...there are numerous threads on this topic that are quite inspiring. Maybe one of the moderators can share about how to access them. I don't know myself.

I only pray with my patients when they ask me to that way I'm showing respect for their personal religious preferences. If they ask for a hug and a hand squeeze, I give them that. Whatever makes them comfortable and at peace, I give them as long as what they seek is within reason for me to do as a professional. :) Of course, I pray silently for all my patients on my own time.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 17, 2005

hi all! i am a nursing student and a practicing christian. i credit my success this far to my lord and savior. i am excited about what he will bring in my future and what opportunities i will have to serve as a rn. i am wondering how many of you out there use prayer with your patients and what stories you have of how you have seen it help them or thier families. the stories i have heard thus far have brought tears to my eyes and it reminds me of the book series called stories for the_______ soul. i would love to see one called
"stories for the nurses soul." maybe we can make our own stories here. i look forward to hearing any stories you may have.
:)

goodness, no way i could have been successful in my np career and my business without him. stories abound with many of us regarding prayer with patients. yes, it is a sensitive issue with alot people, but, prayer is needed by so many.

my most heart wrenching experience was with a new mother...baby dying. she was of different faith, but, needed prayer. i obliged and said one with her. afterwards, when it was clear the infant would die, she wanted her to be baptized. no priest was available and i baptized this dying babe. i cry now just remembering the peace that washed over that mother's face.

siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

2007_RN · Jul 17, 2005

Hey sister :loveya:
I work in a family practice. We had a patient come that was a regular, so I knew her a little. When she was leaving I saw that she was crying. I asked her what was wrong and she explained that she was going through a divorce and that her husband had made up a bunch of lies to get the kids and that she could not even see them. (Her husband was a real creep, and I mean a REAL CREEP. He was a patient of ours too and he is the kind you leave the door open when you are getting his vitals) Any way I asked her if she wanted me to pray with her. She said yes. We went back into a room that was not being used. I held her hands and prayed for her. Her sobbing stopped, I gave her a hug and she said she feel much better.
I saw her in the parking lot of Safeway the other day and she was with her kids!
I do not know how this would work in a hospital setting though, being that you do not know the people as well as regular patients. I am sure there would be a few people that might be rude to you if you bring up "God and religion and stuff" but even people that are not believers, when I have told them I would pray for them they have always thanked me and seemed to apprieciate it...

What a great feeling!!! I love it when we see answers to even our smallest prayers.

2007_RN · Jul 17, 2005

goodness, no way i could have been successful in my np career and my business without him. stories abound with many of us regarding prayer with patients. yes, it is a sensitive issue with alot people, but, prayer is needed by so many.
my most heart wrenching experience was with a new mother...baby dying. she was of different faith, but, needed prayer. i obliged and said one with her. afterwards, when it was clear the infant would die, she wanted her to be baptized. no priest was available and i baptized this dying babe. i cry now just remembering the peace that washed over that mother's face.
siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

siri, i am so glad you were there for that mom. i think it is wonderful that you credit your faith with your career. i wish that the nurses that were with me the night they told me that my son was not going to live would have prayed with me. (thankfully he did but not without serious consequences)

how much do you enjoy your job as a np? that is exactly where i want to end up! i am just starting an adn program but i figure it is never to late or harmful to set my goals high. :)

allnurses Guide · Jul 17, 2005

goodness, no way i could have been successful in my np career and my business without him. stories abound with many of us regarding prayer with patients. yes, it is a sensitive issue with alot people, but, prayer is needed by so many.
my most heart wrenching experience was with a new mother...baby dying. she was of different faith, but, needed prayer. i obliged and said one with her. afterwards, when it was clear the infant would die, she wanted her to be baptized. no priest was available and i baptized this dying babe. i cry now just remembering the peace that washed over that mother's face.
siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

that is a beautiful story and you did a generous thing. and the right thing.

thank you.

steph

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 17, 2005

[quote=cheerfuldoer

I only pray with my patients when they ask me to that way I'm showing respect for their personal religious preferences. If they ask for a hug and a hand squeeze, I give them that. Whatever makes them comfortable and at peace, I give them as long as what they seek is within reason for me to do as a professional. :) Of course, I pray silently for all my patients on my own time.

Ditto for me. I'm very comfortable sharing spiritual care and prayer with patients, but I always let them lead the way after I've asked them, per our admission database, if there are any religious or spiritual needs/practices that may affect their experience in the hospital. If they want their pastor called, I'll do that for them, or I'll ask our parish nurse coordinator to visit them if they're amenable to that. And of course, I pray for my patients and ask for the guidance to give them the care they need and the patience to get through even the worst shift with grace.

A number of years ago, I worked at a small Mennonite hospital where the charge nurse would lead morning devotions prior to shift report; this lady once told me, "Whatever you do, never start a shift without first talking it over with Him". I find that my day goes much better when I remember to do this. :)

allnurses Guide · Jul 17, 2005

I often pray for, and if asked, with my patients. St. Paul said always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within you, he didn't say push it on folks out of season, just to be ready. After more than 20 years, I've gotten to where I can sense if I should bring it up, usually the family or patient asks if that's what they want. I have been angrily rejected at times!I've offered to call the hospital priest, or my own protestant pastor (we don't have a pastor on staff, only our priest), during the night when needed. Jesus Himself approached people where they were, often using stories to make a point when timing for the direct approach wasn't right.

Just being there for them is all most folks need or want at the time.