"The Jesus Factor"

[FireStarterRN]

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 thought 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.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

It is perfectly acceptable and expected that nurses help patients deal with their spiritual condition. It's actually a JCHAO requirement to have a program to help patients spiritually.

If the patient is interested in talking about the nurses faith, nothing wrong with that either. But the focus should be helping the patient.

It is not acceptable to make it one's personal mission that the "Jesus Factor" be taken care of in their patients.

[trainer2070]

I agree with it being ok as long as the patient initiates the conversation. However, personally I would be extremely offended if the nurse or anyone for that matter brought up the subject and repeatedly did so, especially as in this case I was hospice or on my death bead.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I think the consensus is is that if it is a patient-initiated conversation, then its okay. If it is nurse-initiated, it is overstepping the boundaries.

I agree with this.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I want to add that the "Jesus factor" is still taken care of even if the nurse and the patient call him by two different names.

the best nurses can still make a connection and a meaningful conversation with their patients even if that is so.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

The way I read the OP, this isn't a nurse who just happened to have a patient initiated conversation about Jesus or religion in general. It is a nurse who "wants to make sure where people are going when they die." The nurse believes that patients won't get to heaven if they don't accept Jesus as their savior. It is her right to believe that. It is not her right to impose that belief on patients who are at their most vulnerable. It's an abuse of her position.

That's right. It sounded to me as if my collegue considers it part of her mission to make sure her patients are saved. I don't have a problem if patients bring up spiritual questions on their own. I do think it's an ethical violation to be actively evangelizing dying patients.

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

Speaking as a hospice nurse, spirituality is a cornerstone of hospice work. It's one of the factors that sets us apart from simple palliative care. Palliative care can be offered at any institution. However, spirituality is a cup of tea with different flavors. Belief in Jesus is only one of them. Any nurse who imposes her spirituality on another is not doing justice to the patient.

And not all hospice patients believe in God. If this nurse wants to become a hospice nurse, she has to understand that hospice is all about patient choices, not health care provider choices. We walk beside our patients, not in front of them.

[ann945n, RN]

If I was her patient I would be extremly upset if she tried to convert me if I was dying or very ill. Patient have enough to worry about they should have to worry about fending off pushing jesus loving nurses. Sometimes people forget that not all americans are christians. There are us Atheist out there whether they want to believe it or not! Here we are! Its not a nurses job to ensure my after life, thats for the patient to decide to do or not to do.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

But for my co-worker, a deathbed born again experience will save the patient from the fires of hell, so I think she thinks she is doing what is the right thing. In her belief system I think there's no way around this, the patient will go immediately to hell without some sort of acceptance of Jesus as savior. It puts my nurse friend in a awful spot. I'm glad I don't believe that, it must be awful. How could you not want to convert someone if you thought that? Within her belief system she is doing the right thing, even if it technically violates another ethical system.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Hooboy. I'd sure hate to run into your co-worker if she were a nurse at one of my loved ones' bedsides!

Talking to patients about their own spirituality is one thing. Letting them ask questions about her personal beliefs, fine; if they are seeking new inputs AND THEY ASK, all is fine.

But your co-worker states she has gone into home healthcare to "help patients find Jesus before they die". This is not a healthcare provider mission, this is the mission of a religious zealot, and not in the least appropriate in that setting. If it were really about the patient's best interest, how is it that she is not helping them find Buddha before they die? Or G-d by any other name, actually? Nope, she's pushing her own special brand, "the Jesus factor".

Her own statement that "the Jesus factor is squared away" gave me chills: this woman sounds as if she's ticking off something on her own accomplishment list! "Ok, meds given, check. Dressing changed, check. Did my darnedest to convert patient to Christianity, check".

Nowhere is the patient's best interest served, only the nurse's. I totally understand that SHE thinks she's serving her patient best, but if that's the case, she needs to step back and re-read the rules about upholding a patient's spirituality needs. Not what she believes the patient needs, but what the PATIENT WANTS.

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

As far as I know it is not unethical to talk about religion w/ a pt. any more than it is unethical for a teacher to talk to students about their religious views ( as long as it is a student initiated discussion). Pt.s are often comforted knowing someone is praying for them and, as long as she is letting them direct the conversation there is nothing wrong w/ talking about Jesus.

But would you stop if a patient or their family specifically asked you to? Or your coworkers did? I can see from your posts that your religion is important to you, but surely you must recognize that not all people believe and worship as you do and find it uncomfortable to have such a personal discussion.

Blee

[CseMgr1, ASN, RN]

Years ago I was recuperating from a work-related injury and receiving OP Physical Therapy at a local hospital. The Physical Therapist who treated me was also an ordained minister. Though he was an excellent practictioner and a nice person, he basically got on my LAST nerve, for every therapy session turned into a sermon. I didn't say anything, for I had to have the services and this hospital was the only facility available to me at the time. But, he made me feel uncomfortable just the same and I could not WAIT for my therapy to end.

[luvschoolnursing, LPN]

It is a difficult situation Christians are in, knowing that the only way to heaven is through Jesus, and knowing that some of our patients aren't saved. That is why, as a Christian I try to live my life in such a way that people will ASK me about Christ while they are well and I don't have to beat them over the head on their death bed. (I worded that poorly--I don't "beat them over the head" If they ask, or are reading the Bible, praying with family etc, I will gladly talk to them) The time to worry about peoples souls is while they are capable of walking away from you and making their own decision, not while they are captives on a bed. Perhaps that is what places Christians in such a bad light with so many people.