"The Jesus Factor"

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2007

You are also reading into those pamphlets if they are like the ones I've seen. They are a rebuke to Christians for being offensive and making people antagonistic towards Christ. Unfortunately He is often judged by the actions of his imperfect children

You don't know that I'm 'reading into' anything. I'm not talking about mere pamphlets but rather common teachings within many Evangelical circles.

This particular topic has been a sidetrack to the purpose of this thread, and I give up.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jul 9, 2007

I am a Christian. That's it. I know what I believe and I am there to listen and answer questions not to proselytize, convert, browbeat, evangelize or otherwise force converson. That is not our place. The onus is on the patient. If he or she chooses then that is a good day for me. In my faith the only unforgiveable sin is denial I am no more like the TV evangelists than the Pope is like Tony Soprano -both Catholics if you will remember.

If I can do one good thing for a patient on his last day in this lifetime that will be to listen to him and to what he wants. That's it. I am secure.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2007

This particular topic has been a sidetrack to the purpose of this thread, and I give up.

You're right we have gone off on a tagent and perhaps it's best we let that go.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 9, 2007

I like how you think. :)
I don't wear my religion on my sleeve (or ears, neck, or wrist, etc) NOT because I'm ashamed of any of it, or because I don't want others to know. My faith is no secret, which is why I'm sometimes surprised when I hear a surprised "oh, I didn't know you were Jewish". I don't advertise because it's of no consequence to those I am helping to heal. And for some, sadly, perhaps it's a detriment. A shame, no doubt, but it's a factor in the equation that doesn't have to be brought to the table at all. It's not about the nurse, remember?
That's something I don't get when it comes to "sharing" about religion with patients. If you think about it, really think about it, do they really CARE what you believe? Nope. They care what they believe, and they want you to acknowledge that. That's human nature, pure and simple, and doesn't get left at the door to the hospital when they check in. They are sometimes looking for confirmation that it's ok for them to believe as they do, but again, they really DON'T care which house of worship you, the nurse, attend! I tend to think it's presumptuous to think most patients are actually interested in their nurse's lives to that degree.
Blessed Be :)

Very realistic...they give less than a damn what we think. What they want is reassurance that they will be cared for. This is why I do not wear the pentagram...they may believe that harm may come to them and this is not my intention. I didn't wear it during nursing school, either. The Dean of nursing was a devout Catholic and was very stern to students she knew or suspected were gay...imagine what she may have thought if she witnessed the declaration of my faith. One has nothing to do with the other, I feel. Thanks for your support!

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2007

:wink2: My papa (WWII vet) told me "there are no atheists in fox holes" so it stands to reason people receiving end of life care usually want to believe there is something else.

Atheists in foxholes

Atheists in Foxholes monument

respectfully,

PS: I deleted a link to a third resource - not because I thought it was in-appropriate... but because I thought most folks who read it wouldn't stop bashing it for what it said.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2007

Atheists in foxholes
Atheists in Foxholes monument
respectfully,
PS: I deleted a link to a third resource - not because I thought it was in-appropriate... but because I thought most folks who read it wouldn't stop bashing it for what it said.

Good links!

kanzi monkey · Jul 9, 2007

You know something Jls,
But, that is how we have been treated for thousands of years, and how we will continue to be treated. I just wonder what non believers would do if they were treated the same as what we have been... :uhoh21:

I'm sorry, didn't you say you lived in the US? If so, you might consider the fact that this country is dominated by the Christian faith. Historically, and presently, the United States has had issues with discriminating against different groups--religious and cultural. People--past and present--have been denied fundamental rights--the right to vote, the right to own their own home, start a business, get married, live freely. I think "non believers" may have been too preoccupied trying to preserve the rights and freedoms this country so capriciously bestows to be all that concerned with the way christians have been "treated"

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2007

A collegue of mine in the ICU is soon moving to Home Health for several reasons, both personal and otherwise. At the nurses station the other day, she and one of the doctors were talking, and she mentioned to him, regarding one of his patients, that "The Jesus factor was all squared away". This co-worker is a very active Christian and so is the MD in question. I asked her what that meant and she said that she liked to make sure where people were going when they die. She said that that was one reason why she wanted to do home health and hospice, was to help people find Jesus before they die.
She is an awesome, awesome nurse, but I was always taught that this is not ethical. I would never discuss religion with a patient unless they wanted to and I don't think it's correct to try to convert them. She's basically going to be evangelizing her Home Health patients. I find that disturbing.

I dont see anything wrong here.

If she wants to help people, then so be it.

If she wants to discuss her faith , this is a free country. If the patient doesnt want it, she will be out of a job.

I see no issues here with discussing her faith or offering information on conversion.

reesern63, RN · Jul 9, 2007

.....

talondora1 · Jul 9, 2007

Jesus commanded believers in the Bible before He went up to Heaven and told them "Go to all the world" and share the message of forgiveness and love, eternal life. It is an act of obedience she is doing to God, regardless of denomination.

She has a burden for lost souls. Meeting the spiritual needs of a patient is not only ethical, but in the holistic approach it is required. Meeting the need. When she stands before her Maker one day she wants to know that she made the effort.

I can't tell you over the years of working post op and ICU, Hospice and the like how much this means to patients and families. Many feel helpless to even ask a question let alone find a nurse who is willing to pray with them. Often the floodgates open and though the loved one may be dying, the healing of the soul begins....

I am sure if she is being led by the Lord, she is sensitive to how she approaches those who are dying. She may be their last chance to hear of the message. A Chaplain can't be everywhere at once.

What is unethical, would be if she stood there as Judge and Jury, which I doubt is the case. Personally I wish that more nurses as she is met those needs.

God will be her judge, not us. You asked a great question!

God bless you.

leslie :-D · Jul 9, 2007

I dont see anything wrong here.
If she wants to help people, then so be it.
If she wants to discuss her faith , this is a free country. If the patient doesnt want it, she will be out of a job.
I see no issues here with discussing her faith or offering information on conversion.

excellent chance that the pt won't even speak up, r/t fear, depression, pain, exhaustion, confusion or any other trauma an end-of-life pt deals with.

if you care to read this thread, the "issues" are quite clear.

leslie

reesern63, RN · Jul 9, 2007

Jesus commanded believers in the Bible before He went up to Heaven and told them "Go to all the world" and share the message of forgiveness and love, eternal life. It is an act of obedience she is doing to God, regardless of denomination.
She has a burden for lost souls. Meeting the spiritual needs of a patient is not only ethical, but in the holistic approach it is required. Meeting the need. When she stands before her Maker one day she wants to know that she made the effort.
I can't tell you over the years of working post op and ICU, Hospice and the like how much this means to patients and families. Many feel helpless to even ask a question let alone find a nurse who is willing to pray with them. Often the floodgates open and though the loved one may be dying, the healing of the soul begins....
I am sure if she is being led by the Lord, she is sensitive to how she approaches those who are dying. She may be their last chance to hear of the message. A Chaplain can't be everywhere at once.
What is unethical, would be if she stood there as Judge and Jury, which I doubt is the case. Personally I wish that more nurses as she is met those needs.
God will be her judge, not us. You asked a great question!
God bless you.

Actually, the BON will be her judge. It's unethical to push religion on a helpless patient. Any nurse who does this deserves to have his/her license yanked.