The patient, who is christ

[Bro. David BSN]

One Day we are on our patient audit for 3-11 shift in the next day in one of the hospital in the Philippines. I was called by our Clinical Instructor (CI) and I was assigned in a patient with full thickness burns. The patient was in the 50's . During our conversation and Nurse Patient Interaction getting the necessary health data and information of the accident there is something I feel inside me, It is very strange, something unusual, my heart beats fast, and then suddenly I saw the scourged Jesus in Him , the one that is likely shown in the passion of Christ. I saw in his eyes the suffering that he was encountering as what our Lord experienced during the time he was hanging on the tree of cross. I heard in his voice the agony and pain, like Jesus whispering in me "Come my Dear, come and comfort me" . I feel the totality of putting myself before the tree of the cross when our Loving lord was in HIS last moment of His life.

As the time gone by, I am enjoying the moment with my Lord, but I cannot bear the felling within , I want to cry ! I want to hug him! I want to say "Lord I love you please forgive me of my hardheadedness!" . But I must do the right thing, maybe if I did such thing he may encountered more injury because of the open tissue ; or maybe get insulted. I did not show to my patient the tears within my eyes. I didn't want to allow my patient to see the uncovered pain of my sliced heart.

I politely excused myself and run to the chapel of the Hospital, where my tears burst and my heart weeps. Once again I felt that I am placed on the time where the Loving lord was being whip by the sharp metals of the Roman soldiers. I felt the pain of being scourged, persecuted and left.

During the night I can't sleep . All my mind was occupied by the tender love of God to us. Giving His most precious son Jesus Christ. Meditating on the Paschal mystery of Jesus. The pain and the joy combined. Pain because of my sins, my shortcomings and my naughtiness. Joy for this treasured moments and experienced that HE (Jesus) unveiled to me.

I had served the patient with all my Best. Serving a King. I saw in him the Lord . My Master my Love my all! And that experienced was cherished inside me. The calling within the call as mother Theresa said was experienced by me.. Thank you Lord... Thank you Jesus!!!

[MassED, BSN, RN]

Sir according to American Holistic Nursing Asso. "The practice of holistic nursing requires nurses to integrate self-care, self-responsibility, spirituality, and reflection in their lives. This may lead the nurse to greater awareness of the interconnectedness with self, others, nature, and spirit. This awareness may further enhance the nurses understanding of all individuals and their relationships to the human and global community, and permits nurses to use this awareness to facilitate the healing process.

Thank you for the word that you used to call "psychotic" . MAy God Bless you, protect you from evil, and bring you to a blissful life!

I agree those components need to be incorporated into nursing, however one may see fit to incorporate that into THEIR practice. To each his/her own. I find there are aspects of spirituality I'm very good at dealing with while not offending anyone. Irregardless of my own beliefs. I find that even if a patient wants to know what I think or feel, it is a breach of my own professionalism and my nursing role. It is about what the patient needs and whatever I can do to fill that need. We all have our own way to translate nursing practice, which is wonderful. I find that I do not want to alienate a patient or family, so whatever their needs or preferences are is what I will honor. That is my duty and obligation to them. I have my own thoughts and feelings on every detail of what I do in my practice, but rarely will that cross my lips to reach a patient. That is not the time or place for that.

I also wonder, if a patient shows up in a religious hospital in their ER and is admitted and not doing well. If they are approached over and over about their religious preferences, does it make them uncomfortable? Do you think they would feel comfortable telling anyone about what they do or don't want, considering it was a religious facility? Would they think they were not being treated the same as one that shared their faith?

[MassED, BSN, RN]

I am confused as this post appears to be very judgemental.

not at all.

Reading more into the poster being a future monk and nurse, there's a line there that I (I'm emphasizing I) feel like nursing and a specific religious affiliation or faith should not blur. Nursing is about caring, therefore grandiosity should not be there - it makes many uncomfortable, but most of all it could make a patient uncomfortable at their time of need. Not to say that this wouldn't be comforting to some, but to many it might not and we have to think of how to be nurturing, caring, professional and most of all, allow for a trust relationship between nursing and patient. Perhaps being a monk that is also a nurse would work in a very specific setting (as I said in another post) where it was expected from the patients there.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

And should the patient also be made aware of the slant of non-Christian, atheist, etc., nurses?

a PERSONAL nursing opinion should not come into nursing practice, period. One should be focused on what the patient's preferences are, not the nurse.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

The OP was not being grandiose. He stated:

I did not show to my patient the tears within my eyes. I didn’t want to allow my patient to see the uncovered pain of my sliced heart.

I politely excused myself and run to the chapel of the Hospital, where my tears burst and my heart weeps. Once again I felt that I am placed on the time where the Loving lord was being whip by the sharp metals of the Roman soldiers. I felt the pain of being scourged, persecuted and left.

He kept his feelings to himself and left the room.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

The OP was not being grandiose. He stated:

He kept his feelings to himself and left the room.

perhaps for now. If the poster is unable to separate those emotions, that would make for quite a challenge in future situations. I'm not saying we're all perfect and keep our emotions in check, but for this poster... perhaps his beliefs are a lot more intertwined in his daily activities that would make detachments (which you HAVE to have in nursing) difficult.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

It is definitely a learning process when trying to maintain boundaries when addressing the patient's needs.....including spiritual needs. With many, their beliefs are part of everything they do......their beliefs direct their actions.

[rn/writer, RN]

It is interesting to me that quite a few of the people who don't understand this kind of experience have rushed to undercut its validity by referring to it as delusional, grandiose, unnecessary and inappropriate. Some of the same people then say that nurses should be neutral, judgement free, and respectful of others' beliefs.

Keep in mind that the OP did not in any way share his thoughts with the patient or burden him in any way with what was a personal experience. The patient may have had no inkling of what was taking place inside the OP.

Does the tolerance rule only apply if you understand and approve of someone else's beliefs?

[talaxandra]

I am sad at how many treated you with such vitriol and hatred, which I'm sure stems from some serious anti-Christian attitudes.

This is quite clearly a thread where perception is determined by belief - on one hand are those who, influenced by their belief/s, see the OP's experience as a manifestation of the divine and an indicator of his connection with Christ, independent of the patient himself; on the other are those who, influenced by different beliefs (not necessarily areligious), have concerns about the wellbeing of the OP and/or the patient.

Some of the latter group have certainly expressed their concern with a possibly hasty diagnosis that I think is a bit of a reach. I have not, however, seen any posts from the second group express sarcasm, blistering criticism, extreme bitterness or hatred. Quite apart from the fact that any one of these would breach AN's ToS, I believe every person who has questioned Bro. David's post has done so out of concern.

In all things our perspective is influenced by our experiences, beliefs and ideologies. I can, of course, speak only for myself. I find the accusation that my posts on this thread, which I have given a great deal of thought to and composed with care, are expressions of "serious anti-Christian attitudes" deeply offensive. Is it impossible to disagree with, or even question, this kind of experience without being labelled anti-Christian? Are all Christian nurses required to agree with the OP's perspective or risk denying the Lord?

Disagreement is not hatred. Concern is not vitriol. Questioning is not incompatable with belief. And extremely religious experiences are, on occasion, signs of mental illness and/or relegation of a patient (who I think we can all agree ought to be our primary responsibility when we're acting in a professional capacity) to a subordinate role. An "us and them" approach isn't helpful for anyone.

[rn/writer, RN]

Talaxandra, your posts have been very well thought out and courteously expressed.

But I do wonder about people who decide that experiences that lie outside their frame of reference automatically render another person who describes them as delusional, psychotic and grandiose. And then go on to talk about how we should all be non-judgmental.

I also take issue with those posters who made it sound as if the OP tried to force his beliefs on a patient, when he repeatedly made it clear that he didn't. It's as if the mere fact that he had certain thoughts and feelings is seen as ridiculous and outrageous.

I get that spiritual ideas can be polarizing, but respect really ought to go both ways. It shouldn't be that non-believers or those who believe differently from the OP get all the neutrality and courtesy while he is subject to judgment, false accusation and rough treatment.

Isn't it enough to say, "I just don't share that viewpoint at all," and let it go at that?

[NightOwl0624]

so this person is a seminary student.... that explains the direction of this article.... I think the seminary people have a role in healthcare if those spiritual needs are under duress, but not to be blurred w/ medical and health care, which is what appeared was happening. Of course we all have our own experiences and sometimes relate to people and their experiences, but PROFESSIONALISM is what stands out to me here. This poster is not displaying professionalism within the role as a nurse, nevermind the seminary student. Perhaps the poster had a divine moment? I still think that this is awkward and wonder what the poor patient must have been thinking. Surely they would have had some divine moment also? I don't believe that a seminary student should be a nurse, and if so, you should practice where your patients know and EXPECT that religious slant on your nursing practice.

See, I just don't get this. What part of his experience as he wrote was not PROFESSIONAL? Having thoughts -relating his patient to his Christ? Excusing himself and leaving the room? As pointed out repeatedly, the OP said he did NOT express his thoughts to the patient. Shouldn't we believe him? And if what he wrote is what happened, why exactly would the patient be so uncomfortable?

As far as seminary students not being allowed to become nurses... All we actually know is that the OP is a brother in a Catholic order. There are different types of orders within the Catholic church - I know of two, the Jesuits and the Franciscans, and they are very different. Franciscan Brothers are allowed to be married, but Jesuit Brothers take a vow of celibacy. We don't really know what this individual is doing at the seminary right now, he just may be taking religious classes and not necessarily studying to become a priest. I don't think we should be making assumptions.

One of my favorite professiors (who taught the Transcultural Nursing class) was a nurse for 34 years, married with kids/grandkids, and also a Franciscan Brother. You would never know if he didn't mention it in his introduction. I'm sure it is quite possible to be successful at both.

[XXWeaponX]

or because I didn't make some sort of supernatural connection, I'm in the clear?

Yes. That's why you are in the clear.

A trauma reaction, where you are reliving a past trauma as you experience a current one is a pretty common occurrence, as I am sure you know. PTSD, etc.

[XXWeaponX]

I followed this link back here in my email, and I shouldn't have.

I'm curious as to how so many of you found posts, including mine, where there was nothing antireligious, to be full of "vitriol" and "anti-Christian sentiment", and yet over looked a post that was racist, and race baiting. The truly offensive language, the name calling was fine. Nice.