Professional Nursing

NCFI Cares: PRAYERWORKS!

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As we complete our series on spiritual warfare, we will add the final piece to our nursing uniform. I hesitate to call this piece an accessory, for it alludes to something that is complimentary and can be left behind. Instead, I would say it is like our underwear (not to get too personal) something we need to wear every day. This necessary undergarment is prayer. “Prayer is the stitching that connects each piece of the armor. Prayer solidifies our righteousness found in truth, secures our salvation that rests in faith and equips us with peace and strength through the Holy Spirit” (Dameron, Stand Firm with Prayer, JCN article).

Prayer is not only required for spiritual warfare and faith, prayer is also essential for nursing. Through prayer we bathe our self, our nursing practice, and our workplace with grace and truth found in scripture.

In the coming months, we will discover 11 ways to bring prayer into nursing. Using the acrostic PRAYERWORKS as a guide, each devotion will build prayer into our nursing care. The hope is that instead of only looking for ways to pray with patients, we will find infuse our life and work with the pulsating presence of Christ through prayer.

“Failure has resulted from a lack of trust and a weakness of faith—and both caused by a neglect of prayer” (EM Bounds, The Necessity of Prayer).

EMbounds prayer

p.s. To get a sneak peak into PRAYERWORKS, check out http://wp.me/p4IKhl-6H

NCFI Cares: Job Well Done!

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“Before God the Father, we remember your work of faith, labor of love and your steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). These are the words of Apostle Paul to the believers in Thessalonica. Paul commended his brothers and sisters for their faithfulness to the gospel message. Paul says, “Job well done!”  Not only did Paul say, “Good job.” He also made the proclamation before God, “God as my witness, the Thessalonians are great Christians!” In his letter, Paul recognized the believers’ commitment to living out the teachings of Christ Jesus. The believers faithfully served one another and Christ through acts of grace and charity (James 2:14-19; Matt 25:35-59).

As Christian nurses committed to serving Jesus Christ, NCFI leaders, staff, and fellow nurses commend you. We know of your work of faith in staying strong in Christ. Your labor of love to patients and families, as well as to your fellow colleagues. We also recognize the steadfastness of your hope. A hope that developed from yesterday, provides strength for today, and guides you in confidence for tomorrow.  We remember you in our hearts and prayers, and confess you to our God that you are great Christian Nurses! Job well done!

Take a moment and tell a colleague–Good Job

Energy Based Therapies in Nursing: Part 3

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Hopefully, you have been following the series in JCN on Energy Based Therapies. Part 1 & 2 discussed the information from the medical view and then from a biblical view. In Part 3, I give examples of how to respond when we encounter colleagues and students inquiring or using Therapeutic Touch, Reiki and other therapies. 

I would enjoy reading how other Christian nurses have responded. I welcome your thoughts and experiences, so that we can encourage one another in living out Christ’s love in nursing. 

Click here for the article (subscription to JCN required) 

Fostering Future Nurses

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First, I will go on the record to say…I am late with this blog entry. My life has gotten away from me and I am trying to get back on track. 

As a a Christian professional you may have asked, “What is the difference between mentoring and discipleship?” Mentoring is tailored for professional development from a more experienced colleague. Discipleship, like mentoring, uses the process of experience guiding the less experienced (Paul & Timothy in the NT is a great example. But, the focuses is on the spiritual maturation of the individual. Many Christians may have or have had a mature Christian guide them in the early years of faith. The article Fostering Future Nurses in Journal of Christian Nursing discusses how Christian nurses can merge discipleship with mentoring for a caring, committed relationship to guide future professionals in cultivating a Christian nurse. 
As an experienced nurse, I have had great mentors guide me as a professional nurse. My first mentor was a nurse I worked with in the hospital who really cultivated my critical thinking. When I left the hospital to teach, I told her it was because of her guidance that developed my clinical judgment and led to my move to academics. My next mentor was an excellent professor who was first my teacher then a colleague. She really gave me a solid foundation for teaching/learning, curriculum, and academic leadership.
How about you? Share your great nursing mentors…I look forward to hearing from you!
Carrie