Sharing faith at work

Published

I am blessed to have a new job at a religious based hospital that encourages spirituality and sharing faith and prayer with patients (within in reason, no be pushy or disrepectful). On the one hand I am excited to be able to pray for a patient or feel like I can discuss their religious beliefs, on the other hand it feels so awkward and foreign at a job since it's normally taboo.

Has anyone ever been in this position? Other than pray does anyone have advise? I have such a hard time imaging openly praying with and for a patient.

On the flip side of everything that everyone else has said about the patient being comfortable...if a patient were to approach ME and ask ME (as a nurse) if I would pray with them/for them, I would be a deer in headlights. Granted, I wouldn't be ugly about it, but I honestly wouldn't know what to say, and faking it would be wrong. Thoughts?

"I'll be happy to ask the chaplain's service to come see you."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.
if a patient were to approach ME and ask ME (as a nurse) if I would pray with them/for them, I would be a deer in headlights. Granted, I wouldn't be ugly about it, but I honestly wouldn't know what to say, and faking it would be wrong. Thoughts?

Have you never expressed good wishes to someone? You've never told a seriously ill person something like, "I hope you find strength to get through this, and peace and healing for you and your family?" Take "hope" And replace it with "pray" and you're done. No drama and you did what the patient asked. It doesn't have to be a big production. And I don't think faking it would be wrong. No more than faking a good mood on days we feel like crap.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
This comment intrigues me. Why would you (or any athiest, for that matter) wish to specifically seek out a forum entitled "Nursing and Spirituality", then find a thread that very clearly is asking those who HAVE faith/spirituality for their input.....and then post comments that are anything but what the people discussing the topic are interested in? As in, you feel you should "offer logic and reason", but by this you actually mean "mocking and disregarding other people's religious values and beliefs as a waste of time and demonstration of intellectual immaturity".

I just don't see what the possible purpose would be, since you aren't likely to turn up anyone who says "yep, you're TOTALLY right, I've been wasting my whole life as a Catholic/Protestant/Jew/Muslim/Hindu and you've shown me the error of my ways!! THANK you!!"

Atheism is a form of belief- the lack of it to be specific. Why shouldn't atheists be permitted to share their views of religion in a manner that is non-confrontational and respectful? (Yes, there have been some posts ignoring that, but that's another matter).

As someone who is a cross between agnostic and exploring earth-based religions, I would most likely seek care at a hospital that is not religiously affiliated, provided that the insurance covered such a hospital. However, if a religious based hospital was the only one that was included in the insurance coverage, you can bet that the blatant religious overtones would make me uncomfortable (just the environment, not necessarily from people). Even in the non-religous hospital where I work, it is not unheard of for the preop nurses as I, the OR nurse, am rolling them out of the preop area to say "I'll say a prayer for you". Chances are, it's unsolicited, and if that were to be said to me as a patient, I'm honestly not sure how I'd react, but it would indeed make me uncomfortable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Atheism is a form of belief- the lack of it to be specific. Why shouldn't atheists be permitted to share their views of religion in a manner that is non-confrontational and respectful? (Yes, there have been some posts ignoring that, but that's another matter).

Well, it really ISN'T "another matter", as it is THE matter. Someone having a lack of a belief in a higher power/divine being--atheism--is fine. And simply stating that in a respectful and non-confrontational manner is fine. But I have seen very few examples of that, as the majority of those discussing their "belief" that those of us who find prayer and faith comforting are primarily saying that we are lacking the intellectual capacity to review the hard data and conclude (as they have) that our divine being is imaginary, and not worthy of any further discussion or merit.

And THAT is why I wonder why they feel it is appropriate to state that on a forum set aside for people to discuss their faith and how they practice it.....and how ridiculing that faith sets THEM up for the responses they receive.

THAT's why it's not a matter of "permitting them to share their views". It's about not allowing mockery and derision of those who feel quite differently on the subject.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Thank you! I did put a lot of thought (and time) into it. :)

Here.I.Stand seemed to have put a lot of thought into what he/she said.

I don't see anything wrong with debating debating the validity of religion in a post where that is the subject. But please, stop popping into any thread where someone mentions their religious beliefs and posting these comments that are clearly meant to belittle and undermine.

I'm an atheist, and all these smug comments are even getting on my nerves.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

What elkpark said--tell the pt you'll page the chaplain now.

On the flip side of everything that everyone else has said about the patient being comfortable...if a patient were to approach ME and ask ME (as a nurse) if I would pray with them/for them, I would be a deer in headlights. Granted, I wouldn't be ugly about it, but I honestly wouldn't know what to say, and faking it would be wrong. Thoughts?
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CEN, CFRN, PHRN, RCIS, EMT-P.

◄ Matthew 13:13 ►

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
This comment intrigues me. Why would you (or any athiest, for that matter) wish to specifically seek out a forum entitled "Nursing and Spirituality", then find a thread that very clearly is asking those who HAVE faith/spirituality for their input.....and then post comments that are anything but what the people discussing the topic are interested in? As in, you feel you should "offer logic and reason", but by this you actually mean "mocking and disregarding other people's religious values and beliefs as a waste of time and demonstration of intellectual immaturity".

I just don't see what the possible purpose would be, since you aren't likely to turn up anyone who says "yep, you're TOTALLY right, I've been wasting my whole life as a Catholic/Protestant/Jew/Muslim/Hindu and you've shown me the error of my ways!! THANK you!!"

Attention-seeking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.
This comment intrigues me. Why would you (or any athiest, for that matter) wish to specifically seek out a forum entitled "Nursing and Spirituality", then find a thread that very clearly is asking those who HAVE faith/spirituality for their input.....and then post comments that are anything but what the people discussing the topic are interested in?

The OP asked for an opinion on prayer in the work place, I gave one. Not every patient is religious.

Quoting myself from comment 3

If anyone says they will pray for me I try to reply "and I will think for you".

To the OP, if your patients want it and your employer allows it and you have time to do it - go for it. You will do no great harm. On the other hand you will not actually do any good. If your patients/families feel that prayer is helping them, then fine, what ever helps them through their illness/time of stress.

What happens if you spend your day praying instead of actual nursing? I have no problem with staff praying with/for patients and their families but would be very annoyed if I had to cover their workload while they did it.

As in, you feel you should "offer logic and reason", but by this you actually mean "mocking and disregarding other people's religious values and beliefs as a waste of time and demonstration of intellectual immaturity".

Where have I said that...? I have not mocked or disregarded anyone. While I agree that, in my opinion, religious belief is a waste of time I have never stopped anyone from doing so. Intellectual immaturity?????? What are you talking about?

I just don't see what the possible purpose would be, since you aren't likely to turn up anyone who says "yep, you're TOTALLY right, I've been wasting my whole life as a Catholic/Protestant/Jew/Muslim/Hindu and you've shown me the error of my ways!! THANK you!!"

You never know. What was it Isaac Asimov said? "Properly read the bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived."

Perhaps someone may have a look at some Dawkins or Hitchins or Dennet or Harris and change their mind.

But, and I must make this very, very clear, I do not force anyone to do anything, I do not belittle anyone, I do not abuse anyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.
Attention-seeking.

Again with the name calling.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.

Pobrecito!

The OP self-identified as a person of faith and asked for advice on how to go about the whole business of prayer on the job. S/he did NOT ask whether faith is valid.

So, along comes a baby atheist who thinks s/he's channelling Dawkins and proceeds to pick a fight by mocking what he THINKS is the OP's faith. That poster, incidentally, has tried to hijack other threads with equally flimsy connections to the original subject. A true master of the protracted non sequitur.

Doesn't seem very sensible to be as offensive as you can, then whine when the targets push back. What did you think would happen? Nope, if y'all are as rational as you claim, then the only explanation that fits is indeed attention-seeking.

No one cares about your atheism or the reasons for your choices. If you feel an overwhelming need to congratulate yourselves on how superior you are, feel free to start your own thread. This tactic of hijacking threads that have nothing to do with atheism is no better than any other intrusive proselytizing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Grumpy, I have noticed a double standard with some members here, seems like other can and are abusive on their posts while at the same time crying foul when atheists give their opinion. The Moderators seem to lean toward them and against us. At least that's my experience here so far.

I don't think that's the case. I've shared my opinion concerning religious expression in the workplace in this thread and several others. I have never once been attacked, or had a post deleted by moderators. There have been other posters in this thread who made it clear that prayer would make them uncomfortable, and no one got mad at them either. I did get a post deleted for calling someone a turd once, but it had nothing to do with religion...

If an atheist started a thread asking for advice on how to deal with their lack of religion in a Catholic hospital, and someone jumped in there telling the OP he/she was going straight to hell, I have no doubt that the moderators wouldn't allow it.

It shouldn't be surprising that people get mad when you make fun of their religion.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion