Would you pray with a student?

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I have a 5th grade student who came to me last week that I ended up making a child abuse report on. Today, she came to me and informed me that her "safe" caregiver has been removed from the house and is currently hospitalized (unrelated) and is possibly in a coma.

She has mentioned her faith a number of times to me and what a comfort it is. I am also a Christian. I have told her that I am praying for her and for her situation, but believe that encouraging her spiritually as well as taking some private time to pray with her at school would be of help to her physically, spiritually, and emotionally. She has been missing quite a bit of class time due to her emotional state.

I know that this is not legal. But for my Christian nurses: Where does our requirement to follow worldly laws end and our commitment to our patient and to God begin? Would you or do you pray with your students if requested or encourage them spiritually when necessary?

I think as long as you are providing what she needs in that moment; comfort, I don't see how going along with her request does any harm, so long as you aren't pushing your own belief system onto her.

I'm a Catholic raised w/ two Jewish stepparents, turned atheist.

I try to take cue from the individual on religion..I don't talk about it, but support it sincerly; I may not believe in it anymore, but I 100% respect all religions.If it is to provide comfort to them, I'll join them in a heartbeat.

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I am a nurse who works at a Primary care office. While I don't have students, I do pray for my patients. I find that part of the healing process is spiritual. I believe we as nurses can give them hope and confidence. I think it's very important to feel a person (student/patient) out and ask if that's something they would appreciate that you do for them. I have a few turn down prayer but the majority welcome it with open arms.

You can also pray for them quietly and I believe that will move mountains as well.

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Why are we afraid of prayer? This country was founded on a Christian religion. How can it be illegal to pray with a child who needs the comfort of an adult who understands and shares that practice? Why do we need to hide in a closet? There is freedom of religion. Other religions can pray in their manner to their god. They have that right, and so do we. Why are we so afraid to offend someone else.

That child is in great need, and I am glad there is at least one teacher willing to help. As a child who grew up in an abusive home, it only took one adult to recognize my need and reach out. I still remember them for the kind gentleness they showed me. They are why I was able to go on and have faith, in other people and my God. Thank you for reaching out to this child. Believe me, you have made a difference

Pray for me as much as you like to, Ms. Christian. Just don't put me on the spot when I'm in a vulnerable position.

If you say to me "I will pray for you" without asking me what I believe in, what my spirituality is, how my worship is done, you don't have empathy for a non Christian, and you can be sure that I will return the same favor "I appreciate your prayer. I will sacrifice a dog and use his blood to prevent you from being possessed by demons".

In my culture, many people believe that dogs wards off ghosts and evil spirits. Proselytizing to me or my family, you can expect consequences. I don't have to complain to your supervisor.

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Specializes in Ortho, CMSRN.

It's not proselytizing. She's a Christian as well. Now, if asked a child whose faith you don't know who could be a Muslim, atheist, or whatever else if you could pray for them, then you might be in the wrong with the law.

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I am a nurse who works at a Primary care office. While I don't have students, I do pray for my patients. I find that part of the healing process is spiritual. I believe we as nurses can give them hope and confidence. I think it's very important to feel a person (student/patient) out and ask if that's something they would appreciate that you do for them. I have a few turn down prayer but the majority welcome it with open arms.

You can also pray for them quietly and I believe that will move mountains as well.

Something to consider, my mother lost complete confidence in her surgeon after her consultation prior to surgery when at the end of her appt., he asked if he could pray with her. She was so taken aback and flustered that she said yes, but called me immediately afterward, shocked. They are relatively new to living in the south and are still adjusting to Bible Belt country. If that had been done up where I live, I would have marched to administration with a complaint. I feel it's completely inappropriate in a health care setting to offer unsolicited prayer. It's very unprofessional and presumptive. I'm shocked your employer would think this is acceptable. It's one thing for a pt. to ask it of you as a healthcare provider vs. you offering it unsolicited. Personally, I'd think my provider/nurse/whoever was off their rocker if they suggested prayer as part of my POC.

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It's not proselytizing. She's a Christian as well. Now, if asked a child whose faith you don't know who could be a Muslim, atheist, or whatever else if you could pray for them, then you might be in the wrong with the law.

I have an Asian face. I speak English with an accent. My name is Vietnamese. Perhaps nurses like Brenda F. Johnson might ask me about my belief.

I bet if my name is Korean or Filipino, the reaction from Christian nurses will be different. They would think that I am a Christian, too.

This is the reason I hope that I will never have a Christian as my nurse. I don't want to have to keep my defensive mode. My energy should be reserved for fighting illness, not battling a religious ideology. Believe me. I am well versed enough in the Bible to dismantle Christians' moral high ground attitude. I hope I will never have to get there.

Law or no law, I don't care. This is about empathy. Imposing a deity on a stranger is unkind and immoral.

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Specializes in NICU.

absolutely.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Law or no law, I don't care. This is about empathy. Imposing a deity on a stranger is unkind and immoral.

Other than nehneh talking about the surgeon wanting to pray with her mother, what other reference was made in this thread about someone imposing a deity on another?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
absolutely.

Absolutely what?

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Other than nehneh talking about the surgeon wanting to pray with her mother, what other reference was made in this thread about someone imposing a deity on another?

Until you are in a minority's shoes, you would not understand. Speak with a non Christian who is close to you. Then you will understand.

I'm not an atheist, but I read the Bible. Learning about theology of Christianity, I empathize with atheists a lot more, especially the ones in health care professions.

I interact with enough Christians to see the intent OP shows. If you are in the same camp as she is, you would not get it.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Until you are in a minority's shoes, you would not understand. Speak with a non Christian who is close to you. Then you will understand.

I'm not an atheist, but I read the Bible. Learning about theology of Christianity, I empathize with atheists a lot more, especially the ones in health care professions.

I interact with enough Christians to see the intent OP shows. If you are in the same camp as she is, you would not get it.

I respect your opinion and I am not trying to influence you view, however, I am in 180 degree complete disagreement with your opinion.

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Specializes in Psych, Peds, Education, Infection Control.

I always describe myself as "spiritual but not religious." I believe in the Christian faith, but as a lesbian nurse, I was rejected soundly by many church folk. I know the God I believe in still loves me and that's what matters, but I found my own path with my understanding. But my religious beliefs are important to me, even if it's hard to categorize them. I never volunteer my religion, though if a patient asks, I will say "Christian" and leave it at that - the same way I would say I'm single if they ask if I'm married. It's a fact without crossing boundaries. I do pray for patients, but I rarely tell them that, unless we have the sort of therapeutic relationship where I know they would find it a comfort.

If a patient asked me to pray with them, I'd be okay with it. Still, I'd have THEM lead the prayer, and just be present and bow my head respectfully. And, honestly, I don't care what religion they are. I am not Buddhist, Jewish, or Muslim, and so I'd have to have them tell me what is respectful in their religion. But it's THEIR prayer, not mine. I am offering my support and respectful presence. That's just my $0.01 (adjusted for inflation).

I did, however, take down a "resource" when I was leading a LGBTQ therapy group at work, when the topic of balancing religion and one's sexuality came up (from a patient asking about it)...another patient mentioned a church he knew was very supportive and open-minded. Might have jotted down that information for future reference, not only for patients if (and only if) they asked, but also for myself. ;)

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