With so much fear happening right now as a result of COVID-19, there are many patients that are in fear of dying and asking for prayer. In some hospitals, many staff will be more concerned with their agenda and not the patient’s thoughts or concerns. Our own beliefs as a nurse can impact a patient in many ways. For instance, if you find yourself in a Christian Hospital where praying is okay with a patient and encouraged, and you feel comfortable asking the patient if they would like to pray, then you would do that. Now in the same situation, if you are a nurse that is not very religious but work in a Christian Hospital and a patient asks you to pray with them, it can be very awkward for the nurse. The nurse can let the patient know that she will stay there as the patient prays and a warm touch of the nurse’s hand on the patient’s hand can be all the comfort that the patient needed (DeNisco & Barker, 2012). However, many staff will be fearful to do this because of COVID-19. But remember even through a mask, gown, gloves, and a face shield, we as nurses and healthcare givers can still provide someone that is afraid that warm and caring support and a smile that will let them know we care.
References
DeNisco, S. M., & Barker, A. M. (2012). Theory-based advanced nursing practice. Advanced practice nursing: Evolving roles for the transformation of the profession (2nd ed., pp. 5-18). [Vital Source Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://campus.capella.edu/web/library/home