Jehovah Witnesses, can you explain?

Question

why it is not ok for a JW NURSE to give blood to a patient she is in charge of? Makes no sense to me, and is unfair to a busy staff.

Answer 1

Isn't a duty of a nurse is to save lives? If she can't fulfill that duty then she should not be a nurse. Time to look for other employment that does not go against their religious beliefs. Go tell her that.

Answer 2

For the sake of argument, let's just say YOU are are a nurse only you work at a hospital in a nation that has legalized euthanasia. One of your terminally ill patients wants to avail himself of this but you consider it murder. Should you be forced to do it because the other nurse, who happens to be ok with it, is busy? Would you violate your conscience that way?


Besides, why couldn't the Witness take over what ever duties the other nurse is involved in while she took care of the blood transfusion. There are a myriad ways to get around these issues.

Allure: IMHO, these types of issues, whether they involve Witnesses or not ... as you say there are many varying faiths that have many varying restrictions ... do not come up often enough where it would be problematic for someone to request that a co-worker handle a duty they would feel compelled to refuse. I see YOUR point, however, when it comes to working in federally-funded facilities (say the VA). Under those circumstances an employee would be compelled to do certain things, in which case a person who finds something they might be called upon to do objectionable should work elsewhere.

Allure/Edit: Thanks for that insight. I see YOUR point. I would think that a Witness nurse would aim to work in a non-emergency environment and thus avoid that type of situation. I agree it wouldn't be easy under the circumstances you describe.

Now y'all see how civilized we all can be? LOL.

Answer 3

Q&A Queen ,
I see your point .
BUT : You could have a hospital full of nurses each with their own beliefs . Anti- transfusion , anti-euthanasia , anti-abortion , anti-vaccinantion , anti-recussitation , anti bed pan use ,and so on . Just like in the military , the unit will not function properly if the enlisted men are all allowed to pick and choose what they'll do . No one forces JW's to become nurses in non JW hospitals or doctor's offices . Also If a hospital receives Federal funds it is obligated to perform all emergency and common care procedures as legalalized by the Federal Government . The nurses and doctors should be bound by the same rules .

Edit for Q&A Queen :
The majority of hospitals in the USA receive a significant form of government subsidy . Not just Veteran's Hospitals .
If you ever worked in an emergency room setting , you would realize there is often no time to start figuring out who can hang a transfusion bag or insert the IV needle .
Even in a regular hospital setting there can be emergencies where the nurse on call NEEDS to respond properly .
Even in a calmer hospital setting , where there is often an under staffing of nurses , it is very disruptive to have to pull a nurse off of one duty ( often on another floor) to cover for a nurse who can't deal with the job she was assigned to .
A JW nurse will ALWAYS refuse to transfuse . Would you consider hiring a nurse who refused to give patients pills ? How about a doctor who can't look at naked bodies ? How about a doctor who refuses to treat JW's , Muslims or Jews on grounds of religious faith ?
Medicine is Science . If you can't leave your religion at the front door you shouldn't be allowed to enter .

EDIT for TeeM :
Very illogical !
First of all no doctor will refuse to treat a JW in an emergency situation . They will refuse to treat a JW , in situations that allow time ,if they refuse to have a blood transfusion where that doctor deems it necessary. What would a doctor do if a person said " My religion does not allow you to cast eyes upon my naked body . So do the operation blindfolded ."
Second there is no doubt that tranfusions save lives . NONE ! We are no longer living in the dark ages . We have studies and record keeping .
Yes the JW " nurse" HAS made a decision . She should be restricted to JW facillities and not be considerd a Registered Nurse . The hospital should fire her and not be subject to a nonsensical religious discrimination lawsuit .
Yes , very logical ! Lets have her work Christmas or Easter in case someone has a hemorage on one of those days . That way the family can remember that a JW allowed thier loved one to die on a Holiday .

Answer 4

I think that it is a conscience matter and we have to consider what the Bible says.

A pharmacist may not give medications to someone who intends to abort a baby. Is that pharmacist wrong?

Here are some quotes from the Watchtower.

Some Christians working in hospitals have had to consider this factor of authority. A physician might have authority to order medications for or medical procedures on a patient. Even if a patient did not mind, how could a Christian doctor in authority order a blood transfusion or perform an abortion, knowing what the Bible says on such matters? In contrast, a nurse employed at the hospital might not have such authority. As she performs routine services, a doctor might direct her to perform a blood test for some purpose or to care for a patient who came for an abortion. In line with the example recorded at 2 Kings 5:17-19, she might conclude that since she is not the one with authority who orders a transfusion or performs an abortion, she could carry out human services for a patient. Of course, she still would have to consider her conscience, so as ‘to behave before God with a clear conscience.’—Acts 23:1.

Answer 5

I am a student nurse becoming a JW. I'd like more info on this, too....maybe some of my sisters and brothers can email me regarding this!
I don't think my conscience would allow me to hang blood on a patient, though. I would want to notify the staff way before it even gets to that point.

Answer 6

Many things can come under conscience.

There are many doctors who will not treat Jehovah's Witnesess, because they will not honor our one restriction.

As more and more information is forth coming, I wouldn't be surprised if blood transfutions receive the same importance as blood letting.

As to your nurse, she has made a decision concerning blood transfusions, and you can complain or coorperate.

You might want to ask her to trade with you the next time you are have to work Christmas or Easter.

I can see a wonderful win / win situation if you learn to work together.

.

Answer 7

Blood is Sacred to Yahwah(Jehovah) God, as are ALL His wonderful works--We are living souls and the soul is in the blood--Lev. 17: 11--For the soul of the flesh is in the blood, and I MYSELF (God) have put it on the alter for you to make atonement for your souls, because it is the blood that makes atonement by the soul (in it). Jesus' shed blood makes atonement for all, now. This is the reason that Jehovah's Witnesses can make an informed decision to not go against God's Holiness and Glory by giving away something that is sacred to God and to them. Only God can give life and take it away--our hope and faith, therefore lies in Yahwah God, Eternal Creator.

We, as God's Witnesses, respect His feelings, for He is a Perfect God with whom there is full justice issuing from His great and abiding LOVE; and when He says, in the Holy Scriptures, that we are NOT to eat or take in blood, well let me tell you, we listen.
We want to honour Him and His Words, (THE Holy Bible/Scriptures).

Answer 8

Maybe she is AFRAID of getting that 'dratted blood' on her hands ???

Answer 9

I don't know for sure. I'll do some reasearch and email you an answer, if thats ok. if you have anymore q's email me.
look @ Q&A Queen's Answer!!! :)

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Answer 10

Please, their false teachings say it all. Contradiction.