"The Jesus Factor"

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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.

It isn't about religion. It is about a personal relationship with Jesus.

Which is a religious belief not everyone follows.

It is okay to bring it up casually to see if the pt wishes to discuss spiritual issues.
No, it isn't. This post explains it very well.

https://allnurses.com/forums/2294153-post406.html

We have to respect boundaries, not force the topic on someone, but asking us not to say anything at all is like asking Nurse Smith to take no action to save Mr. Jones.
Because you obviously believe that Mr. Jones must be saved, you are serving your own needs, not that of your patient.
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Specializes in I have an interest in Travel and OB/L&D.
This brings up another good point.

Just because someone is Christian, does not mean they necessarily share your beliefs.

And who are we to determine who is or isn't a "true" Christian?

Exactly. That's why I mentioned the lack of unity among Christians.

And no one can determine who is or isn't a true Christian, we cannot be the judge. Only God knows. ;)

I don't like the term "so called Christians". I think it's kind of a slam or slur. Who's to judge this? Everyone falls short, isn't that the whole point?

When I said "so called Christians" I was referring to hypocrites. No one can determine who is or who isn't one, not even me. Only God can. Even hypocrites can turn from their sinful ways...

And yes you're right, everyone falls short of God's glory. It's whether or not that person feels a conviction when they do wrong (feels bad when they sin) and turns to God to confess, ask for forgiveness, and try not to sin again. That's just one of the things that determines the true heart of a Christian. ;)

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Exactly. That's why I mentioned the lack of unity among Christians.

And no one can determine who is or isn't a true Christian, we cannot be the judge. Only God knows. ;)

I agree. Which is why I bristled at the phrase "so-called Christians"

When I said "so called Christians" I was referring to hypocrites. No one can determine who is or who isn't one, not even me. Only God can. Even hypocrites can turn from their sinful ways...

And yes you're right, everyone falls short of God's glory. It's whether or not that person feels a conviction when they do wrong (feels bad when they sin) and turns to God to confess, ask for forgiveness, and try not to sin again. That's just one of the things that determines the true heart of a Christian. ;)

Thanks for the clarification. Although to muddy the waters a bit more, not every Christian agrees on what is a sin ;)
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Specializes in LTC.
....If a patient says "I wonder what happens after death", the nurse shouldn't reply "well I'm a Christian and...........". The nurse should reflect back "what do you believe happens after you die?".....or simply repeat the question "so you're wondering what happens after you die?" and not worry about the Jesus Factor.

...

I'm thinking most of the time it not "o.k. as long as the patient brings it up". If a patient asks "are you a Christian" the answer should still be one that get the nurse listening and the patient talking of himself.........

Okay I really cut the quote a lot, but great post Tweety. When asked about religion by patients the health care provider should make it short and sweet and use it to let the patient open up. Asking someone else what religion they are isn't a normal everyday conversation question, if a patient is asking it's for a reason. Let them examine their own beliefs while you support and guide them. At no point should the nurse be going into detail about their own beliefs, that's just not necessary. If the patient needs or wants more information about a specific religion refer them to the chaplain who is trained to spiritually guide people while being culturally sensitive.

I also wanted to respond to the numerous "The patient will tell me if they don't wan to talk about Jesus" comments. On many occasions I've asked a patient to do something and have heard "I'll do whatever you tell me to!" to which I normally reply "Well, can you stand on your head..." I normally get an odd look and they answer no. From there I explain that I DON'T want them to do everything I ask of them, they can say no whenever they want too.

So many patients think that because I work there, not even as a nurse though the scrubs often may make them think I'm one (and I'm the first to correct them if they think I am), I don't know everything and I'm not always right.

I've also had a lot of patients out right talk about how vulnerable they feel tethered to the bed by IVs, oxygen, Foleys, and whatever other tubes might be coming out of them. This isn't the time or place for a nurse to go about spreading the gospel. I've said many times "There are three things I don't discuss at work politics, religion, and sex."

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Specializes in I have an interest in Travel and OB/L&D.
I agree. Which is why I bristled at the phrase "so-called Christians"

Thanks for the clarification. Although to muddy the waters a bit more, not every Christian agrees on what is a sin ;)

Really? Interesting. What do some Christians think a sin is?

To me, a sin is simply a wrongdoing or anything against God.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
Really? Interesting. What do some Christians think a sin is?

To me, a sin is simply a wrongdoing or anything against God.

People differ wildly on what they think is wrong. There are many issues that Christians differ on, such as abortion, sexual matters, birth control, style of dress, etc and so forth.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.
Really? Interesting. What do some Christians think a sin is?

To me, a sin is simply a wrongdoing or anything against God.

So a Lutheran's definition of "wrongdoing against god" is the same as a Calvinist definition of "wrongdoing against god" is the same as a Pentacoastal definition of "wrongdoing against god" is the same as a Catholic's definition of "wrongdoing against god" is the same as a Baptist definition of "wrongdoing against god" is the same as a Mennonite definition of "wrongdoing against god" ???

I'm not trying to be facetious.

Nor am I trying to "poke holes".

I'm not attempting humor...

And I certainly don't mean disrespect.

I'm simply asking.....

cheers,

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Specializes in I have an interest in Travel and OB/L&D.
People differ wildly on what they think is wrong. There are many issues that Christians differ on, such as abortion, sexual matters, birth control, style of dress, etc and so forth.

Oh, now I see what you're saying. I knew that...I don't want to get into those issues here in this thread. ;)

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Specializes in I have an interest in Travel and OB/L&D.
So a Lutheran's definition of "wrongdoing against god" is the same as a Calvinist definition of "wrongdoing against god" is the same as a Pentacoastal definition of "wrongdoing against god" is the same as a Catholic's definition of "wrongdoing against god" is the same as a Baptist definition of "wrongdoing against god" is the same as a Mennonite definition of "wrongdoing against god" ???

I'm not trying to be facetious.

Nor am I trying to "poke holes".

I'm not attempting humor...

And I certainly don't mean disrespect.

I'm simply asking.....

cheers,

Yep, looks like the same definition to me, but jlsRN clarified with me that she was talking about how Christians differ in what they consider a sin. (For example, some Christians think it's okay to have abortion and some Christians think it's wrong).

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
Oh, now I see what you're saying. I knew that...I don't want to get into those issues here in this thread. ;)

Great plan!:idea:

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
I also wanted to respond to the numerous "The patient will tell me if they don't wan to talk about Jesus" comments. On many occasions I've asked a patient to do something and have heard "I'll do whatever you tell me to!" to which I normally reply "Well, can you stand on your head..." I normally get an odd look and they answer no. From there I explain that I DON'T want them to do everything I ask of them, they can say no whenever they want too.

I agree, some patients are going to sit quietly without complaint to be a good patient. I know I don't always tell people "I don't want to hear about Jesus". To be polite, I sometimes just don't interrupt. It's the Southern Gentleman in me. :)

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Specializes in Peds.
Yep, looks like the same definition to me
Really? :confused:

For example: You think the "Catholic definition of Christianity" is the 'same definition' as the "Protestant definition of Christianity" ?

I guess you do, since you say "Yep, looks like the same definition to me".

I'm just curious because if all the definitions amongst the various branches of Christianity "matched together" - why does Christianity still have it's different denominations?

cheers,

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