Religion

BunnySan27 · Nov 17, 2011

I think you just answered your own question. If someone is pushing their religious beliefs on you, you can respectfully decline to answer and leave it at that. No harm done.

merlee · Nov 17, 2011

"I'm sorry, I prefer to not discuss my religion at work" "I'm sorry, I don't discuss my religion at work" "I am uncomfortable discussing my religion while I am at work"

"Would you like for me to call your pastor (or whomever) for you?"

Keep repeating as necessary.

Keep smiling.

Best Wishes!!!

mindlor · Nov 17, 2011

I was taught to always avoid self disclosure or at most disclose small amounts that I felt might be therapeutic for the client. We were taught to redirect back to the client...

In some cases disclosing things like last name, where you live etc, can be dangerous....

46oldnewrn · Nov 17, 2011

Ughhh what a topic. I do not believe in God. I am spiritual but do not believe that adam and eve started the world. I do not believe that every animal in the world was put on an ark. I am however very kind and sensitive, I work with nurses who believe in god, but are so damn nasty to their residents. Ughh I usually just lie about god to be honest. If a resident states to me "oh god wanted me here" I usually just agree and scramble out of that room as fast as I can. I want to go into hospice nursing and I think I will have to deal with the "god" thing even more. What a topic.

mindlor · Nov 17, 2011

I am right there with you 46 :) I am an agnostic and we believe in some sort of higher intelligence or power we just are not sure exactly what that is...

What I do is make an effort to familiarize myself with the major world religions, sects, and cults. This allows me to move in and out of conversations gracefully. I very much respect the beliefs of others and I believe that a clients spirituality can have tangible results on his or her physical condition.

Also, this knowledge helps me to bond with client and family, gain trust, get them involved in care which ultimately makes my work all the easier

12leakec · Nov 17, 2011

well, you are being asked to go to this person’s church. why not find one closer to your home. i personally know where she is coming from. if you don't believe in god that's okay with you. if you don't want to accept him into your heart that's your choice. but i believe in god and accepted him into my heart!!! i'm am not afraid of the gospel of jesus christ

mindlor · Nov 17, 2011

well, you are being asked to go to this person's church. why not find one closer to your home. i personally know where she is coming from. if you don't believe in god that's okay with you. if you don't want to accept him into your heart that's your choice. but i believe in god and accepted him into my heart!!! i'm am not afraid of the gospel of jesus christ

ugh, i feel it best to remain neutral. a hospital is no place to recruit for any religion.

merlee · Nov 17, 2011

This is less a matter of what the nurse believes than a matter of prostletizing by the patient. No one needs to be subjected to someone else's constant battering.

Hard issue to deal with at times.

BluegrassRN · Nov 17, 2011

Why did this woman get to you so much?

As an atheist, I've never had someone get to me. Maybe because, to me, it would be exactly the same as if someone tried to get me to go to the church of Thor, or accompany them to worship at the Temple of Athena; it's just as absurd an idea to me.

You cannot take any conversations with pts personally, including the religion one. If someone asks me about religion, I typically give very benign and vague answers and steer the conversation back towards them. People like to talk about themselves. When someone like the woman in the OP is asking me to go to their church, I always say something like "Tell me about your church; did you choose to go there, or did you grow up in that church?" This often leads to a long history of their involvement in the church, with little input required from me. If they ask if I will come, I smile and thank them for the invite. If they are persistent, I simply respond, "Perhaps. It sounds lovely, from your description. I can see why you are so happy there."

At least the woman cares enough about you that she wants to save your soul! Seriously, don't fret about it, and for crying out loud, don't take it so personally. Just let it go. If you're secure in your religious/spiritual beliefs (or lack thereof), why should it bother you? Just steer the conversation away from yourself and be done with it.

Zen123 · Nov 17, 2011

I have run into one who was into jesus and starting preaching. I smiled and

I said sorry but- i am a muslim! Don't know why but that shot them down:)

x4livin, ADN · Nov 17, 2011

Why did this woman get to you so much?
As an atheist, I've never had someone get to me. Maybe because, to me, it would be exactly the same as if someone tried to get me to go to the church of Thor, or accompany them to worship at the Temple of Athena; it's just as absurd an idea to me.
You cannot take any conversations with pts personally, including the religion one. If someone asks me about religion, I typically give very benign and vague answers and steer the conversation back towards them. People like to talk about themselves. When someone like the woman in the OP is asking me to go to their church, I always say something like "Tell me about your church; did you choose to go there, or did you grow up in that church?" This often leads to a long history of their involvement in the church, with little input required from me. If they ask if I will come, I smile and thank them for the invite. If they are persistent, I simply respond, "Perhaps. It sounds lovely, from your description. I can see why you are so happy there."
At least the woman cares enough about you that she wants to save your soul! Seriously, don't fret about it, and for crying out loud, don't take it so personally. Just let it go. If you're secure in your religious/spiritual beliefs (or lack thereof), why should it bother you? Just steer the conversation away from yourself and be done with it.

Because she KEPT ON....this subject began while I was admitting her on her first night there.....this morning, the other nurses there in report discussed this, and she didn't do this to anyone else. She told me that I should "let someone read the bible to me and explain to me what it was saying to me". This is my entire problem with religion. I told her I had read it cover to cover more times than I cared to remember, I knew what was in it. She then said I needed someone to "guide" me to see what it "meant". Every time I walked into that room(it was me and an aid..there was no choice about being her nurse) It was that she insinuated that since I didn't agree that her beliefs were right or care to jump around the room in joy because she believes some bearded caucasion in a painting walked on water, that she HAD to convince me. I really have not had anyone get to me like this ever. I would have debated religion with her, but I knew from the start that she would never hear me. If it is intelligent debate(and not closed minded cultist ignorance) I will discuss. I have studied religion. This lady was trying real hard to suck me into an argument with someone who's IQ would have been able to do nothing but repeat her trained speeches. She began with the texts from Roman roads at one point and I couldn't get her to stop and wound up walking out while she was talking. It was like trying to talk to a toddler who had been taught one joke and kept telling it over and over.