Religious believes expressed in nursing theories. For or against

ThatPoshGirl · Jun 27, 2008

Hello everybody,
I am a BSN student taking a nursing theory class at the moment. I was wondering what is everybody's opinion regarding expressing religious believes in nursing theories. Does it offend you to find the word "God" when reading about certain theories. Example : "Persons have mutual relationships with the world and God" (Quote from my theory book re works of Sister Callista Roy)
I am Catholic myself so I do not find such statements offensive...I am just wondering what others think on this topic
Thanks:heartbeat

I think it really depends. If it is promoting one belief system over another then it doesn't belong in a college class, unless it is a private religious college. If it is a summary of religious beliefs intended to help nurses better treat and communicate with their patients, and it is comprehensive in the ideoligies it covers, I think that is okay. If all it talks about is one or two religions, though, that is not okay in my opinion.

Understanding how a person's religion can affect their medical decisions is an important topic, if it is covered in an inclusive manner that doesn't exclude some religions while including others.

elkpark · Jun 27, 2008

I don't see it as something to be "for" or "against." Some nursing theorists incorporate their personal beliefs and spirituality into their nursing theories ("Sista Callista," whom you mentioned in the OP, is a Roman Catholic nun, so it's not surprising that her theory would incorporate something about humans' relationship with "God").

There are plenty of theories out there, and it seems to me that, if you're uncomfortable with one, there are plenty of others from which to choose ...

I would not expect a publicly-funded college or university to organize its entire program around a nursing theory that emphasized "God," as a private Christian college might do, but I wouldn't have any problem with nursing theories that do talk about "God" being covered in a survey course on nursing theory in general, that discussed all the major theories. In that case, it would be silly to leave some important ones (like Sr. Roy's) out just because they include mention of "God."

s_david_a · Jun 27, 2008

The minute we use the word "better" or "good" or "bad" in regard to practice and outcomes, we have made a value judgment; those judgments arise from or are connected to a worldview either consciously or unconsciously--it seems to me only honest for a nursing theorist to be clear about his/her presuppositions in such things.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2008

No, because I realize that it's just a "theory".

I object when such a theory would be forced upon students to use, unless it's a private religious school. I went to a Christian College for my RN to BSN and we were required to use a theorist that addressed spirituality, and I was o.k. with it then because of the school. Had I been in a public school, I might have objected, depending on the theorist and how it was worded.

I think most theories need to have a spiritual component because most humans have that component in them as well.

elkpark · Jun 27, 2008

I think most theories need to have a spiritual component because most humans have that component in them as well.

Very true, but, at the same time, there's a (big) difference between "spirituality" as a general, inclusive concept and someone's specific religious beliefs.

But, again, there are many theories out there, and I'm sure everyone can find at least one s/he is comfortable with, that is congruent with her/his own values and beliefs. :)

leslie :-D · Jun 27, 2008

Very true, but, at the same time, there's a (big) difference between "spirituality" as a general, inclusive concept and someone's specific religious beliefs.

the example the op gave, was usage of the word "God".

that sounds pretty generic to me, and would be more conducive to implementing that in a spiritual component.

i can't see a theorist endorsing a specific religious practice.

but if this is happening, there are many theorists out there.

we always have the choice in relating to these theories, or not.

leslie

BlueRidgeHomeRN · Jun 27, 2008

i think it is as dishonest and academically lazy to pretend that relgious/spiritual dimensions are not present in nursing theories as it would be [regardless of one's own faith]to ignore how the relgious beliefs of the founding fathers influenced our nation and it's laws.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2008

i think it is as dishonest and academically lazy to pretend that relgious/spiritual dimensions are not present in nursing theories as it would be [regardless of one's own faith]to ignore how the relgious beliefs of the founding fathers influenced our nation and it's laws.

yes, they were agnostics or atheists.

i find current nursing theory to be a crock, frankly. after nightingale it was all downhill. she had it all right - keep them clean, comfortable, fed, and let nature and medicine take care of the rest.

everything else is fluff for theses.

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2008

i think it is as dishonest and academically lazy to pretend that relgious/spiritual dimensions are not present in nursing theories as it would be [regardless of one's own faith]to ignore how the relgious beliefs of the founding fathers influenced our nation and it's laws.

this is why i like orem's theory. her theory deals with helping a patient attain self care in all of their needs, no matter if they are physical or spiritual. it is our role to get the patient to self-care, by addressing their self-care deficits. but if the patient doesn't see a lack of spirtuality or lack of belief in a particular deity as a self care deficit, then it is definately not our place to advertise our own beliefs to our patients.

the founding fathers wanted a place to practice their religion free from persecution. this also should apply to people who choose not to observe any religion, without being called lazy. i would hazard a guess that any agnostics or atheists have put a lot of thought and research into their opinions, and are still able to competently and sensitively care for patients without disregarding the patient's needs.

blee

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2008

i think it is as dishonest and academically lazy to pretend that relgious/spiritual dimensions are not present in nursing theories as it would be [regardless of one's own faith]to ignore how the relgious beliefs of the founding fathers influenced our nation and it's laws.

if we continue down this path, i'll have to bust out the treaty of tripoli again.

anywho, i just want to second what thatposhgirl said.

s_david_a · Jun 28, 2008

Yes, they were agnostics or atheists.

Not to completely change the topic of the thread, but I'd encourage you to study this more.

As a student of history, I have never encountered a "founding father" who was an atheist or an agnostic. Now, there some Deists, proto-pantheists, and various unorthodox "Christians," and the majority were Protestant Christians of some stripe.

Not trying to start a debate--maybe you were joking?