What I believe as a Christian and an aspiring RN

God bless you brother , that is the way to go!!! If God is for us-who can be against!!!

Careful Brother not all patients are Christain.

Brightest Blessings
Willow
Wiccan Priestess and RN

Why would "the general public" care (what your thoughts are on this)?

you sound like youll make a wonderful nurse!...

lovely sentiments, inspired.

a nurse should/would ask pt if s/he would like a visit from the chaplain.
"offering prayer" however, would be taboo...
unless pt requests it, of course.

wishing you the very best.

leslie

I think we should always remember that nursing originated in the religious orders....

Plus the Benedictine values:

Benedictine Values

Awareness of God
To look for God in the Ordinary events of each day.
"We believe that the divine presence is everywhere." RB 19.1

Community Living
To become who we are by our relationships with others.
"Let all things be common to all." RB 33

Dignity of work
To appreciate the dignity of work in God's creation.
"...they live by the labor of their hands." RB 48.8

Hospitality
To offer warmth, acceptance, and joy in welcoming others.
"Let all...be received as Christ." RB 53.1

Justice
To work toward a just order in our immediate environment and in the larger society.
"...that in all things may God be glorified." RB 57.9

Listening
To hear keenly and sensitively the voices of persons and all created beings.
"Listen...with the ear of your heart." RB Prologue 1

Moderation
To be content with living simply and finding balance in work, prayer, and leisure.
"All things are done in moderation." RB 48.9

Peace
To strive for peace on all levels: with self, others, and God. RB Prologue

Respect for persons
To respect each person regardless of class, cultural background, or professional skill.
"No one is to pursue what is judged best for oneself, but instead, what is better for someone else." RB 72.7

Stablility
To cultivate rootedness and a shared sense of mission.
"To stand firm in one's promises." RB 58

Stewardship
To appreciate and to care lovingly for all the goods of this place.
"Regard all utensils as if they were the sacred vessels of the altar." RB 31.10
http://www.csbsju.edu/csbalum/resour...tinevalues.htm

I think that the Benedictine values (and similar traditions from other faiths) lie at the core of nursing practice.

I don't see why its so wrong in asking a pt if he/she would like a prayer? it's obvious no harm is intended by doing such, the only thing for a pt to do is say, no Thanks, if not of faith. I can't picture a pt whining about the RN that asked him/her if praying was OK. But I guess that does happen. I see your good intentions.

I see your Christian values is what you want to do, and I admire you for that.
God Bless.

Interesting thread! InspiredBySilence, my hope for you is that you can continue to hold onto your faith as you journey through your education and begin your career. Nursing will challenge your value system, your beliefs, your understanding of God in so many ways that right now you cannot begin to imagine. I have had many times in my career that I felt angry with God and didn't understand His reasoning or His actions. In my mid-twenties, I questioned the existence of God, considered myself somewhat of an agnostic, and struggled with a belief system that no longer gave me support or comfort. In my mid-forties, I reconciled with God and felt a sense of peace in realizing that everything has a purpose unto God, even if we don't realize it in our lifetimes. It is far easier for me to cope with grief and loss and to help others deal with their feelings because I have a strong faith, which is the foundation for my life as well as my nursing practice. Faith doesn't make everything easy and there have been struggles, roadblocks and the perpetual question, "Why?"

Like you, I am a Christian. I was inspired to return to nursing after being away for several years while I was raising my family. I became intrigued with parish nursing and took an RN refresher course as well as a parish nurse preparation course. I started and ran, for four years, a parish nursing program in a suburban church with a membership of around 1000. Currently I serve two small rural churches that have a combined membership of less than 250. What I like best about parish nursing is the integration of faith and health, the ability to talk freely with the parishioners about issues of faith, particularly in times of loss and grief. Because we are from similar faith traditions and share common values, it's much easier to pray with people or read from the Scriptures.

I want to commend you on your willingness---your eagerness---to look holistically at the people you will someday serve as a nurse. However, I do wish to caution you; sometimes health care personnel cross a line when they broach spiritual issues. Never proselytize, not to other staff or other students, not to patients or families. I've seen well-intentioned people do grave spiritual harm to patients when they have ignored the patient's spiritual needs and instead tried to impose their own beliefs onto the patient. There are some religions that are very exclusive and feel that it is the duty of each person to convert others to his/her beliefs. I once attended a Protestant church that claimed it was the "only one" with the "truth" and members were encouraged to "witness" to people in supermarkets and parking lots. I had someone tell me that, as a nursing instructor in a public university, that I should "use" my position to "bring the Gospel" to my students. I've also had people think nothing of trying to convert patients, to "witness" to them as well. I don't see that as an appropriate role for a nurse or a nurse educator. Throughout my career, regardless of my personal beliefs, I have always tried to put the patient's (or student's) needs first and to respect all belief systems whether I agreed with them or not. (BTW, I did not feel I could morally stay with a church that thought it was the only one with the "truth" and required me to try to "witness" to others. I left that church and found a denomination that is far more in line with my own core values.)

Sorry, I wandered a little bit there. What I wanted to say to you is that you need to keep your faith in your heart, let your actions speak of God's love for you and be a testament to your faith. Follow the example in Matthew and be the person who cares for the sick, the homeless, the lowly and sees the face of Jesus in each individual. But do understand that not every person will share your beliefs. As I said earlier, it's far easier to cope with the stresses of nursing when one has faith. I don't necessarily believe that faith has to be Christian. I've met people of many different traditions, many different beliefs who are comforted by what they feel in their hearts is true. I will bend over backwards to ensure that someone's beliefs are respected. For Catholic patients, that has meant having a rosary and crucifix nearby if they wish. For Muslim patients, it has meant turning the bed toward Mecca if possible and allowing time and space for prayer. I have also taken care of people who profess not to hold religious beliefs. Over the years I have learned to look at nonverbal signals and to broach the subject of spirituality very carefully; sometimes those who claim that God is unimportant are the ones who most need to speak with the hospital chaplain. However, I have always asked before referring anyone to the chaplain because of respect for their privacy. (BTW, some people don't want to see the hospital chaplain and prefer visits from their own pastor. My husband, who is a pastor, always leaves his business card with the nurse taking care of one of his parishioners in the case of an emergency in which his services are required.)

You will find that some of your co-workers and fellow students have different---or no---belief systems. While I believe that providing nursing care can be a fruit of Christian faith, I do not believe that one must be a Christian---or a particular type of Christian---to be an effective nurse. I do think it's easier to cope with sickness, death, loss and grief when one has some sort of belief system. Again, it does not have to be a Christian faith. I've worked with amazing nurses who were avowed atheists but who believed in serving humanity. And I've worked with nurses who called themselves Christian who were uncaring and cold.

I'm posting this because I think you have many unique gifts that you can bring to the nursing profession. Your faith is obviously one of those gifts. I will be pulling for you---and praying for you---as you begin your education in what hopefully will be a satisfying and fulfilling career. And thank you for your thought-provoking words. It's often difficult to spill one's soul but it's necessary on occasion to reinforce, even just for ourselves, who we are and what we believe.

Reality shock can be a cold hard slap in the face for those of us with high ideals. Each and every one of us at the beginning thinks we will be the exception, that because we have faith we won't ever be discouraged, frustrated or burned out.

Don't want to drag you down because there's no way I can tell you that it's going to happen to you and have you believe it because we never do. It's something you'll just have to experience.

Always hold on to those ideals. It is indeed a tough road for people of high standards. Don't you ever change and always take the high road. If I'm sick please be my nurse.