The newly hired nurse notices that coworkers routinely pray with clien

The newly hired nurse notices that coworkers routinely pray with clients and their families. The nurse has never been particularly religious or spiritual and is unaccustomed to praying, but holds no strong feeling against prayer.

What is the best strategy for the nurse to plan for such situations?
1. Try to ensure assignment to clients who are unlikely to request prayer.
2. Arrange to have a coworker substitute for the nurse in these prayer situations.
3. Memorize two or three short, formal prayers to use when prayer is requested.
4. Just stand silently at the bedside and let others in the room do the praying.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: It is impossible to be certain that the nurse will not be caring for a patient who will ask for prayer, especially because the practice of prayer is somewhat routine on this unit.
Rationale 2: Having a coworker substitute for the nurse will be difficult to operationalize and may not always be an option, so the nurse would need some preparation anyway.
Rationale 3: Because this nurse has no objection to praying with clients and families, the best plan is to have two or three short, formal prayers or verses memorized to use when prayer is suggested.
Rationale 4: The second best option is to stand silently at the bedside while others pray.