This paper examines the intersection of religious beliefs and nursing practice across four distinct faith traditions: Jehovah's Witnesses, Islam, Seventh-day Adventism, and Scientology. For each group, the paper identifies core doctrinal beliefs, explains how those beliefs create specific care requirements or restrictions, and outlines practical guidance for nurses. Topics covered include blood transfusion refusal, dietary and modesty requirements, Sabbath observance, holistic care philosophies, and the rejection of psychiatric treatment. The paper concludes by emphasizing that nurses must avoid stereotyping, engage in open patient communication, and adopt a patient-centric orientation that respects individual religious expression while meeting professional care obligations.
Nursing success depends as much on putting the patient in a state of rest and comfort as it does on administering a doctor's prescriptions. To secure a patient's rest, nurses need to understand their needs and show respect for their beliefs and values. This requires courteous, open communication with the patient and the adoption of a patient-centric orientation. Among other factors, the religious background of a patient makes a considerable difference to their values and expectations.
Religious doctrines and practices differ across religions and denominations — including Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims, Seventh-day Adventists, and Scientologists — and may impose restrictions on certain kinds of nurse–patient interaction or on particular forms of treatment. People from outside a given religious background are often unaware of these differences. It is therefore necessary for nurses to familiarize themselves with such norms and to communicate openly with each patient to learn about their specific needs.
Jehovah's Witnesses belong to a Christian denomination of the same name. An organization called the Watchtower serves an important community-relations function by offering information and guidelines about the beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses to the general public. Jehovah's Witnesses hold their own interpretation of the Old and New Testaments, which they believe to be the true word of God (Kitney, Kanani, & De Souza, 2012). They do not believe in the concept of the Trinity or in the idea that the soul is mortal. In keeping with their literal reading of Scripture, they also reject the existence of hellfire as conceived by most other Christians. They believe strongly in the end of the current world order through Armageddon and the subsequent creation of the Kingdom of God on earth. They use the term Jehovah to refer to the Creator rather than titles such as "God" or "Lord," and they place great value on close relationships within their community.
The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses with the most direct implications for nursing practice center on blood. They do not accept transfusions of whole blood or any blood components — including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. According to their beliefs, blood contains life and it is therefore sinful to attempt to sustain life through transfusions (Effa-Heap, 2009). Storing and donating blood is also prohibited (Knox, 2011). However, they are willing to accept substitute treatments such as pharmaceutical alternatives and certain blood fractions, including albumin and hemophiliac preparations. This can create life-or-death situations in cases such as heart surgery (El Azab et al., 2010). If a Jehovah's Witness does accept a blood transfusion, they may be shunned by their community — even if the transfusion was necessary to prevent death.
The nursing implications are clear: nurses should respect a patient's decision to refuse blood transfusions (Banja, 2009). When patients are deemed competent, nurses should seek their informed consent. In other cases, they should accept the patient's blood card or advance directive. At all times, nurses should demonstrate supportive behavior and ensure that patients are fully aware of the consequences of their decisions, without placing undue pressure on them.
Islam is the second largest religion in the world, and its followers are called Muslims. The main principles of Islam are a belief in monotheism — the existence of one God, named Allah — the prophethood of Muhammad as the final messenger, and the Quran as the revelation of Allah. Islam is a universal religion, and it is therefore common to encounter significant ethnic and cultural diversity among Muslims, most of whom have Arab, African, or South Asian backgrounds. Islam places certain obligations on its followers: they are expected to pray five times a day through a series of standing, sitting, and bowing positions while reciting holy verses. During the lunar month of Ramadan, all adult Muslims are expected to fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Pregnant, lactating, or menstruating women, as well as sick or travelling individuals, are exempted during those states.
Muslims hold the nursing profession in great esteem. Rufaidah bint Saad is recognized as the first Muslim nurse (Mebrouk, 2008), and Muslims broadly believe that saving human life is a noble cause. Accordingly, they do not refuse blood transfusions or organ donations when it can be reasonably believed that such actions would save a life. Muslims are, however, forbidden from consuming alcohol, pork, and any products or medications derived from them, unless no alternative is available (Charles & Daroszewski, 2012). It is important for nurses to communicate to Muslim patients the contents and composition of any medication or treatment being administered.
Nurses should also be mindful of several additional considerations when caring for Muslim patients. Islamic tradition discourages unnecessary physical contact with patients, so it is generally preferable to assign a nurse of the same gender (Rafii, Hajinezhad, & Haghani, 2008). Islam also requires that clothing be modest and not reveal the shape of the body; appropriate garments should therefore be provided. Muslim women cover their heads with a scarf, hijab, or chador, and nurses should seek permission before removing any head covering or uncovering any part of the body for treatment (Charles & Daroszewski, 2012). Muslims are permitted to pray in a sitting or lying position, and this should be facilitated — patients should not be interrupted during prayers. Because Islam emphasizes patience, meditation, and prayer as means of coping with illness, the recitation of the Quran by the patient or an attendant should also be accommodated.
"Sabbath, vegetarianism, and holistic care values"
"Psychiatric treatment rejection and silent birth practice"
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