"The Jesus Factor"

Updated:   Published

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.

there's nothing wrong with cautious disclosure.

sometimes i share something about myself, but it's for the benefit of my pt being able to identify with a particular situation.

if i'm doing a painful dsg change, i often talk as a means of distraction.

90% of the time it's about them.

the other 10%, i say what i do for a reason.

it's never babble.

in other words, whatever i choose to share with my pts, it is solely for a therapeutic benefit.

it is never, ever about me.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Care, ICU.
I can't disagree with you at all. However, I realize however most people just want to hear themsevles talk and I usually keep my opinions about things that interest me to myself when working. This includes stuff like gun control (for), abortion (against), gay marriage (well duh), Iraqi War (against, but support the troops) and religion. If on the off chance a patient is really interested in my views I still back up and say "I don't know, what do you think?" Rarely do I have long conversations about such topics with patients, if ever. That's just my policy, but in no way should we be mandated not to talk about things the patient is interested in talking about.

Absolutely. Much of the time when a pt brings up one of the above subjects, it is in the context of saying what they believe. Sometimes they just want to talk to someone about anything and it would not be proper or kind to argue a point of view in those cases.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in peds med surg,.

It sounds like she is the one gaining satisfaction from trying to "convert" people to her religion. We must be respectful of all religious and spiritual beliefs, even if they differ from our own.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i live my life as much as possible as Christ would want me to. If they ask why I smile and such, I told them I am a Christian. If they go further I ask if they would like to speak to a chaplain or would like me to tell about my experiences as a born again Christian. At least your actions have planned a seed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.
i live my life as much as possible as Christ would want me to. If they ask why I smile and such, I told them I am a Christian. If they go further I ask if they would like to speak to a chaplain or would like me to tell about my experiences as a born again Christian. At least your actions have planned a seed.

I guess you can feel satisfaction if you as a Christian plant a seed. I'll allow you that. As long as it's not your goal in patient care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

well unfortunately a Christian Nation has been turning sour for some time. It is no longer a privelege to talk in public work places etc.. about Jesus. I too will continue to speak out though to patients when ever possible. I'd rather loose my job than see one go to Hell. So keep on Sister!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was saddened when I read "The Jesus Factor". I think it is sad when we are challenged with this type of thinking. Wouldnt your offer a thirty person water to drink?? A patient has the right to reject or talk of Jesus if he/she chooses. We all have that option. Patients are not merely robots, they are spirtual beings as well We should feel obligated to help them at their time of need. That is what we do isnt it??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I guess you can feel satisfaction if you as a Christian plant a seed. I'll allow you that. As long as it's not your goal in patient care.

i don't think it's appropriate to ask your pt if they'd like to hear about their experience as a born again Christian.

at this point, all i can do is sigh.

sigh....

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
well unfortunately a Christian Nation has been turning sour for some time. It is no longer a privelege to talk in public work places etc.. about Jesus. I too will continue to speak out though to patients when ever possible. I'd rather loose my job than see one go to Hell. So keep on Sister!

maybe i'm just tired.

but as a nurse, i am offended by your post.

i have read every single post on this thread, and have learned a great deal.

i've been humbled and enlightened.

i feel after reading your post, that we are at square 1.

this type of defiance will not benefit anyone.

so keep on sister.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
maybe i'm just tired.

but as a nurse, i am offended by your post.

i have read every single post on this thread, and have learned a great deal.

i've been humbled and enlightened.

i feel after reading your post, that we are at square 1.

this type of defiance will not benefit anyone.

so keep on sister.

leslie

I dont think we can get inner peace within ourselves If that were the case this world wouldnt be in the situation it is in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
I was saddened when I read "The Jesus Factor". I think it is sad when we are challenged with this type of thinking. Wouldnt your offer a thirty person water to drink?? A patient has the right to reject or talk of Jesus if he/she chooses. We all have that option. Patients are not merely robots, they are spirtual beings as well We should feel obligated to help them at their time of need. That is what we do isnt it??

A patient should not be put in the position of having to decline listening to Jesus talk. It is no more appropriate to ask a patient if they'd like to hear about born again Christianity than it is to ask them if they'd like to hear how it is I've become agnostic. If they have specific questions, they will ask. If they have given an indication that they'd like to talk about Jesus, and I actually had something useful to say, I'd speak to them. As I don't, I'll happily call the chaplain or make a referral to someone who can come speak with them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
maybe i'm just tired.

but as a nurse, i am offended by your post.

i have read every single post on this thread, and have learned a great deal.

i've been humbled and enlightened.

i feel after reading your post, that we are at square 1.

this type of defiance will not benefit anyone.

so keep on sister.

leslie

I agree. Some are determined to meet their own needs rather than the patient's. That isn't nursing. Not to me, anyway.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion