Nurses Spirituality Article

The Nurse's Guide to Observing Chanukkah

The holiday seasons are festive and bright, a true cultural phenomenon. However, other religions don't recognize Christmas as a holiday, and this can make them feel marginalized. One of the most common religions you may encounter during the holiday season is Judaism, and you should know the history and observances of Chanukku to help your patient celebrate their holiday, too.

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Red Kryptonite

Red Kryptonite

2,212 Posts

Specializes in hospice. Has 3 years experience.

I am a Christian, but have a heart to, and I believe an ethical responsibility to, support all of my Pts faith.

This is odd phrasing. Is being a Christian supposed to be in contradistinction to "having a heart?"

vintagemother

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN

2,717 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
This is odd phrasing. Is being a Christian supposed to be in contradistinction to "having a heart?"

Um....no. I used the phrase, "I have a heart to..." In a way that means, "it's important to me that I...."

What I was trying to say is that even though I have a different faith than some if my Pts, it's very important to me that I support them in observing their faith in ways that are meaningful to them.

If that's still not clear, I give up trying to explain.

OCNRN63

OCNRN63, RN

5,978 Posts

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I'm a JW, and I don't feel left out. I grew up not celebrating any of the holidays, so it seems normal for me. The only things that used to bother me in the workplace were people who felt I was obligated to work every holiday, major ones and minor ones, and people who would ask me about Christmas plans every year, even though I had explained to them multiple times that I do not celebrate the holiday. You'd think after you heard it once or twice you'd remember, but such was not the case, no matter where I worked. I figured people just weren't really listening when I explained that I didn't celebrate holidays.

RNsRWe

RNsRWe, ASN, RN

4 Articles; 10,428 Posts

I'm a JW, and I don't feel left out. I grew up not celebrating any of the holidays, so it seems normal for me. The only things that used to bother me in the workplace were people who felt I was obligated to work every holiday, major ones and minor ones, and people who would ask me about Christmas plans every year, even though I had explained to them multiple times that I do not celebrate the holiday. You'd think after you heard it once or twice you'd remember, but such was not the case, no matter where I worked. I figured people just weren't really listening when I explained that I didn't celebrate holidays.

Yes! I also find that people will ask the same questions repeatedly because they didn't actually listen to your answer (not the first time they asked, nor the following three or four).

I have even been asked, when I said I didn't grow up with Christmas celebrations, why it was my family wouldn't still have put up a tree "like regular people". Seriously.

Sigh. Guess I'll have to settle for being "irregular"!!

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