Role of Religion in Religious Nursing Schools

Trin · Oct 5, 2010

I imagine that it would vary from school to school. When I was in undergrad, the only overt thing we had to do was take two required religious classes before graduation (two classes, four years, no big deal). But they also had an in loco parentis policy even if your parents didn't pay for school so they notified your folks of everything that was going on. They also had curfew hours imposed on the dorms and a nasty fine system - even for law students.

You should probably research the extent to which the school's religious affiliation will be forced upon you before attending. A token class isn't usually an issue. Trying to rob you of $250 because someone signed out of your room five minutes late - not so awesome.

0402 · Oct 5, 2010

I did my undergraduate degree at a Lutheran college (I'm Catholic), and our requirements were similar to the above- 2 religion classes. We had to take one 100- level course and one 300- level course. My school was no where near as conservative on social policies as the one listed above, though. We did have a dry campus, and curfews for people of the opposite gender being on the "wrong" floors of the dorms (only some dorms), but they were easy to work with and fairly common sense.

I got my nursing degree at a Catholic University, and though I don't know a lot of their social policies because I lived off campus (in my 30's, married, kids, etc), there were no religious requirements for the actual nursing program. The only thing in the nursing program that was reflective of the religious nature of the school was that the school had a large international mission (throughout the school, not just the nursing school), so we had opportunities to go to other countries to fulfill that "international mission." I never, ever felt that they pushed Catholic agendas or beliefs on us.

happy2learn · Oct 5, 2010

That's just going to depend on the school. There will be required religion courses, how many will depend on the school. You'll have to check the curriculum for the school you are interested in.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Oct 5, 2010

In my faith-based school, no religion classes are required.

ETA: In a faith-based school where religion is woven into many aspects of the curriculum--such as elementary and high schools--religion is not necessarily "enforced." My kids used to go to a Catholic school, and there were kids of different religions that also went there. They were required to attend all-school masses and religion classes, but they weren't required to participate.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2010

Religion classes are requiered at my school but these are not religion specific. There are courses on many different religions which fullfill teh requirements. For nursing majors we are recommended to take medical ethics and spiritual and ethical care in death and dying so neither of these classes are religious specific either. I don't think religion is brought up as much as you may think, but honestly I think it should be a little bit more really. If I'm going to attend a Catholic school then I think it should be okay to bring it up but....everything is very politically correct even though I don't see why religion at a religious school should be un politically correct...

Well I got off subject but at my school I would also liek to say my classes have been very diverse and tehre are people of every religion there so it is a good enviroment for everyone :)

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2010

I attended a Presbyterian based nursing school. I was required no religion classes, nor was religion brought up in my nursing classes.

xInspiredx · Oct 5, 2010

^Thank you for the replies everyone! :)

elkpark · Oct 6, 2010

I attended a Presbyterian based nursing school. I was required no religion classes, nor was religion brought up in my nursing classes.

Ditto. I also interviewed for a teaching position at a SDA-affiliated nursing school (I worked at the SDA medical center it was part of at the time), and they required a "religions of the world" type course, but did not push the SDA theology on students. No "mandatory chapel" or anything like that. The medical center supposedly "required" daily devotions in shift report and to begin all meetings at the medical center, but, in most cases, that "requirement" was simply ignored without consequences -- and, for the people who did follow the policy, the medical center provided an approved nondenominational "devotions" handbook; when the devotions did take place, they were more "warm fuzzy thoughts" than anything specifically religious. (The medical center did abide by the SDA vegetarian dietary restrictions, though.)

anon695 · Oct 6, 2010

I attend an Episcopal nursing school, it is a hospital school affiliated with the local community college. No religion classes were required in the co-requisites at community college. Religion is discussed at school only to the extend that it correlates to nursing, like being aware that JW's often refuse blood transfusions and you don't do post-mortem care on Jewish patients. Respecting cultural and religious diversity is emphasized, but I would think that all schools talk about that, not just a religious school.

Most of the other students are Christian of some sort, but that is mainly because the area where the school is located is mostly Christian (it's a commuter school). I'm an atheist, and I've never felt uncomfortable at school for any religion-related reasons. I'm not the only atheist, there are at least 2 others who are "out" plus a few people who are religions other than Christian. As far as I know, there are no problems between people of different religions (or the atheists), everybody gets along just fine

Dannyjdr · May 6, 2012

Ive been meaning to ask this question as well... Thank you.. I am pretty much an atheist but i do find religion interesting and dont mind learning about it I just didnt want to apply to a nursing program that is going to instill some kind of religious lesson into everyday topics about nursing.