Religion and Nursing

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2003

Good answer, Bess.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jun 28, 2003

are you saying you were influenced into bad behavior by your non-christian peers, or you are ashamed of how you were towards your non-christian peers?

interesting question, jacolaur (hadn't thought of it in those terms).

let me quote from the apostle paul, i corinthians 13

13:4 love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. love doesn't brag, is not proud, 13:5 doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; 13:6 doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 13:7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 13:8 love never fails. but where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. where there are various languages, they will cease. where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 13:9 for we know in part, and we prophesy in part; 13:10 but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. 13:11 when i was a child, i spoke as a child, i felt as a child, i thought as a child. now that i have become a man, i have put away childish things. 13:12 for now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. now i know in part, but then i will know fully, even as i was also fully known. 13:13 but now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. the greatest of these is love.

the above is the standard for the christian. you see, the life of christ transforms the christian on a day-to-day basis and it is a process, often taking years to be conformed into his image. and in response to your question, no one is responsible for others' words or deeds, only our response (which is a choice). often there are emotional trigger points (we all carrry a lot of emotional baggage) which signify we need healing in an area. as the love of christ heals us in an area, and the holy spirit transforms us within, we are freed from being "triggered" in an area (it doesn't matter by whom), to responding in christs' love. hope this answers your question :) :kiss

Token Male · Jul 3, 2003

Tolerance is the WORD;

We all have our own beliefs or lack of beliefs but the work place is not the venue for seeking converts; however we are there to tend to the needs of others. This includes the spiritual plane and we must include this in our care if it is in our patients best interests. I work in the care of acutely ill elderly and the prospect of meeting their maker is often of concern to them. It is important to them therefore it should be important to us.

pinkplumeria · Jul 8, 2003

Most of the people I work with are Christian, and some are very open and almost intrusive with their beliefs. However, I have found that those same people are intrusive with all their opinions, regarding all topics. So, I try not to have many discussions with those folks.

I am not Christian, and actually have beliefs very different than most people I work with. If a patient asks me to pray with them, I stand quietly with them and support them in their spirituality. I do not discuss my religion with my co-workers and especially not with patients, it has nothing to do with my job performance. If it comes up in conversation, I am honest about my beliefs, but don't offer any more information than is necessary. I have not made my religion a secret, but don't want to have to discuss it at work. If my co-workers send me emails, I just delete them, I'm not offended, and I don't think anyone is trying to convert me, they are just sending along something that they wanted to share because it made them feel good.

When a conversation turns to religion, I listen quietly, or I excuse myself. I have always found all religions fascinating, so generally I will listen and try to learn something about other people's beliefs.

One thing I do find interesting is that a few facilities I've worked at have had policies about wearing jewelry that is religion-oriented. However, it was only enforced for "non-traditional" religions. I was questioned about wearing a goddess symbol, but many nurses wear crosses and this was never an issue. I am not offended by anyone's spiritual jewelry, but if there is a policy against it, it should apply to all.

2banurse · Jul 8, 2003

Originally posted by glow_worm

I've worked in the blue ridge mountains of NC, and it's true that very southern Christian nurses there can become abrasive/condemning towards co-workers or patients who don't go to church! In fact, in one nursing facility where I worked for a year, nurses would attend the funerals of Christian residents who had passed, but they would not attend the funerals of non-Christians b/c these residents were supposedly going to "burn in Hell". It was very sad and bizarre. Their behavior was not congruent with "love your neighbor", "forgive one another", "judge not", and other statements from their own bible.

.

This doesn't sound very Christian to me! We are all brothers and sisters no matter our religion, and for any religious following, especially Christianity, to act in this way, is not acting in a true Christian way.

I think there is something to be gained from every religion, so I would listen to what they say. If I agree, I may let it be known that I feel the same way. If I don't, I would just move on and not let it bother me.

Kris

glow_worm · Jul 8, 2003

Yes, so many of the nurses wear gold or silver crosses around here, blatantly advertising their religion. I understand that it's comforting for some of the patients, probably most in my area, but it alienates others. I've thought about appearing with a Buddha around my neck -- but no, that would also alienate the patients.

mailnurse · Jul 8, 2003

Assertiveness training in action:

If a colleague says something christian "cute" to you and you choose to give not so subtle hints,through your body language,that you do not wish to hear any more and you are ignored,then please speak out and let him/her know you do not wish to hear any more christian "cute".

Same as when a colleague lays on a hot and heavy personal anecdote of a recent sexual conquest/encounter that you may have no desire to hear about ,for example.Or, when somebody launches into a vitriolic diatribe against a politician you may not believe in and wish to hear nothing about.

Just say"NO" to unsolicited interworkplace conversations directed at you.

Shiva_Las_Vegas · Jul 9, 2003

Originally posted by pinkplumeria
One thing I do find interesting is that a few facilities I've worked at have had policies about wearing jewelry that is religion-oriented. However, it was only enforced for "non-traditional" religions. I was questioned about wearing a goddess symbol, but many nurses wear crosses and this was never an issue. I am not offended by anyone's spiritual jewelry, but if there is a policy against it, it should apply to all.

That is interesting...... I agree, if there is a policy it should apply to all. In fact, I think there might be some legal issues there if they are "selectively" applying that policy.

jacolaur · Jul 9, 2003

I proudly would wear my "Star of David" necklace