This poor nurse - can you beleive this?

[Dizzy4Disney90210]

I spent a few hours in the hospital the other day and the nurses were just so professional yet kind to me, they were very busy but made my painful visit less painful then it could have been. then I see this news story tonight and it just makes me so mad.

Nurse suspended for prayer offer

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/somerset/7863699.stm

This nurse visiting a elderly patient at home offerend to say a prayer for her and then the old bat complains.

 

[Disneyland1084]

PATHETIC!!!!

 

[Rebelmom67]

Well, isn't that lovely. I would like to say, I'm not praying for the old bat!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

"Old bat?" Because the woman did not want to have a prayer said for her, and because she alerted the nurse's agency to the fact that the nurse was unprofessional in her request?

Sorry, but in my opinion (having once worked as a Federal EEO officer) the nurse was wrong to bring religion into the workplace. I realize her convictions are strong, and yes, she has every right to those convictions, but when you attempt to involve others in those beliefs you run the risk of giving offense.

If it's not in the workplace, no problem. Offense is given every day by any number of people on any number of issues. When you bring your personal beliefs into the workplace, you need to keep them to yourself.

Perhaps the patient did not believe in prayer, or Christ, or any religion at all? It was her home and she too has rights.

Hopefully, the nurse will not lose her position over this matter, but will be re-trained in appropriate professional behavior in the workplace.

 

[dismom2]

I agree: pathetic!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Well, isn't that lovely. I would like to say, I'm not praying for the old bat!

Would this be an example of Christian charity then?

 

[Stacerita]

Thats sad.

 

[Rebelmom67]

Would this be an example of Christian charity then?

I'm very religious and believe in the power of prayer. Doing a quick lookie of your posts, you wouldn't like me, so let's just leave it at that.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Hey, I'm an atheist and the old bat was wrong. That poor nurse, she was just trying to be kind.

What is wrong with people?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

"Old bat?" Because the woman did not want to have a prayer said for her, and because she alerted the nurse's agency to the fact that the nurse was unprofessional in her request?

This RN believes the nurse was not unprofessional in asking her if she would like prayers. She probably asked her if she'd like water or a pillow, too.

I could see if she'd prayed for or over the patient when she didn't want it, which would be an infringement, but that does not seem to be the case here.

 

[yeartolate]

I am a nurse and I think the nurse should have prayed in silence. The patient need know nothing about it.

If a patient requested, that would be a different story.

My feeling is that all this situation required was a reminder from a supervisor. It makes me wonder what else we are missing. I think a chunk of the story is missing.

If a nurse came up to me in the hospital and asked if she could pray for me, I would think I was dying and I was not being told something.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

You'd be wrong then, Pea. Asking if the patient wanted water or some other physically related service is within the scope of the nurse's profession. Asking about imposing a religious belief on someone is not. It's unprofessional, which is substantiated by the agency's response to the complaint.

The nurse is there to carry out medically necessary/ordered services, not to impose her personal beliefs on her patients.

You don't have to agree with that, and clearly you (and the others here don't). That's why there are laws and regulations in many states and countries which govern the conduct of professionals while they are on the job.

As for assuming I wouldn't like someone because they are a self described devout person who believes in the power of prayer, that is a pretty judgmental statement. I think it's bit more of projection, eh? You've had a "lookie" at my posts and determined you don't like me. Not an issue really. You are welcome to your judgments and preferences.

 

[yeartolate]

I agree DVC, but on many occasions we are asked to fulfill other needs and we comply as we are comfortable and able. But to initiate on our own was an over step.

But to project onto the patient was wrong. Not firing wrong, which makes me believe the nurse had priors or there was more to the story.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

The key there is "if we are asked." If the patient asked the nurse to pray for her, then that would have been a bit different. If the nurse agreed, fine. The nurse as the professional should never have brought it up.

There could be, as you suggest, more to the story. Bottom line is, she was unprofessional, needed to be re-trained by her supervisor and then allowed to get on with her work.

If she is so devout she believes in the power of prayer then she should just pray for the person without asking. It's a private matter when it is within the context of the workplace.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

I don't get it. Was the nurse pushing it down her throat or something? I don't know how offering something is a bad thing. Even if you're an aethiest or another religion. What's the harm? If if was sick I wouldn't care if someone offered to do some weird voo-doo dance if they genuinely cared and thought it would help.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

See, I don't think it was an unreasonable thing to do. I know that it would make me as a patient feel better because it shows me that the nurse considers my more than just a medical chart. It would be comforting to me. Should she have done it? Probably not. But it's sad that a simple courtesy came to this.

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Imposing would have been if she'd just started praying with no regards to the woman, and just started up and prayed for her in front of her face. Asking if someone wants a prayer is in no way imposing anything upon anyone. She says no, the Nurse passes as well (or prays for the woman anyways at home or elsewhere). She says yes, the Nurse prays with her. Asking permission does not equal imposition.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

When you are in a professional setting and a degreed and licensed professional, it is improper and wrong to impose your personal (political, religious etc.) beliefs upon your patients, clients, residents, etc.

Opinions expressing that it is a courtesy or not an imposition are misguided in that they are not taking into consideration that the offer to pray is an of itself a personal conviction (the prayer).

The patient could have easily been an atheist and distressed by the offer. That is not the duty or the position of the nurse, to distress the patient, regardless of the motivation.

You don't have to like it, but if you are going to pursue employment under a professional licensed degree, you'd better decide to uphold the ethics and protocols of your profession or you will end up with similar reprimanding actions as happened with this nurse.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Sorry DVC, I am not wrong. It is not illegal or unprofessional to ASK a patient if they would like prayers.

I believe the nurse in this case will be exonerated from any wrong doing. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Imposing would have been if she'd just started praying with no regards to the woman, and just started up and prayed for her in front of her face. Asking if someone wants a prayer is in no way imposing anything upon anyone. She says no, the Nurse passes as well (or prays for the woman anyways at home or elsewhere). She says yes, the Nurse prays with her.

Asking permission does not equal imposition.

Exactly.