Purpose in Christian Nursing One look at health care reveals an industry filled with chaos, clutter, and seemingly not very purposeful. The regulations seem to continually change, the staffing and workload is on a continuum and nurses are constantly trying to keep up with the newest diseases, newest treatments and newest technologies. The calm in this storm is Jesus. I know it sounds like a cliché, but it is true. God is in control and knows exactly what is happening and is actually working out His will for today and tomorrow. Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Exodus 15:18, says the Lord God will reign forever and ever. God does not change, respond as in crisis mode, nor suddenly have new and emerging ideas. Now I do need to stop and laugh, as children of God we may enjoy our new and innovative smart phones with apps; but God’s purpose hasn’t changed–it just becomes hi-tech. Changes have been fast and furious in the profession and practice of nursing. It is easy to get lost in the flurry and leave our purpose in Christian nursing behind. Judith Allen Shelley and Arlene B. Miller wrote a wonderful text entitled “Called to Care: A Christian Theology of Nursing.” In the chapter entitled, “A Christian Worldview for Nursing,” they state, “The actual tasks of nursing may vary as needs, contexts and resources change, but Christian is always a faithful response to God’s gift of salvation. We love others because God first loved us. That love is lived out in compassionate action toward our neighbors.” (page 68, 2nd Edition, 2006). In other words, our purpose is to bring grace, truth, and love to our patients and to our colleagues. We discover a more specific purpose when God takes our passion (as we have discussed in a previous SBAR) and uses it for His purpose. Here is an example of 3 Christian nurses with different purposes: A retired nurse providing nursing care for men at a homeless shelter in a recovery center; a nurse researching the implications of prayer in patient care; finally a nursing student who provides supervised childcare for disabled children so their parents can attend church service. All of these nurses are using their unique passion and talent to meld with God’s purpose in nursing. Just as our passion may not be specific the same is true for our purpose. We shouldn’t sit back and wait for a “divine plan” to be laid out before we feel we are being used by God. Instead, we are to continuously devote our careers to God’s purpose and will. Another thing I want to mention, is remember the nurses that I shared with you? One was a student, while another one was retired. This brings up two key points: if you are a student don’t think God is waiting for you to become a nurse before he can use you; or if you are retired, don’t assume God is done with you. Oh, no! God uses all of us all the time in furthering His kingdom. Our job description may change, but God’s purpose is constant. I am excited to hear about your purpose in nursing, so please tell your story!
Month: January 2012
SBAR: Start the New Year with Truth!
I recently submitted an article for a Norwegian Christian nursing journal entitled Our Faithful Journey in Nursing. To prepare for this article, I spent some time researching Postmodernism in both our culture and in nursing, and its impact on our faith. The final analysis Christians need to really get Truth solidified into our hearts and mind. Also, what has added to this is I am doing a bible study with my friend and prayer partner regarding Spiritual Warfare, and one of the weapons, both offensively and defensively is truth. All of this to say, I suggested to my fellow Norway nurses and to you, to start the 2012 year with a commitment to memorize the Nicene Creed. This faith statement has such rich truth, but also historical significance for the Christian faith. There are links below with more information on the Nicene Creed. Follow me on Twitter for weekly phrase updates with Scripture
Ibelieve in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things seen and unseen.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; God of God,1 Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made.
Who, for us all for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, in accordance with the Scriptures; and ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father; 2 who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy universal3 and apostolic Church. 4 I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Influence Your Practice: Pray!
Prayer is such an important part of our personal and our professional life! We know that, yet all of us struggle to pray more. We do so many things to assist us in our prayer life: memorize scripture, listen to sermons, attend bible studies, read books, join prayer ministries… YET, we still lack a life and a nursing practice pulsating with prayer. Let’s
follow the sports logo of Nike:
For help, read the article and choose one of the suggestions: to pray for yourself, your workplace, colleagues, and/or patient to implement prayer into your nursing practice.
Carrie Dameron 