I Love being a Christian Nurse

Nurses Spirituality

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I love being a Christian Nurse. I know there are many people out there that do not share my beliefs but, I care for them the same as I would someone who shared my beliefs. I did not become a Nurse to take care of people who believe the same as I do, I did it because I want to help people heal and make a difference in their healing process.

Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

I think it's fairly self-evident why the OP titled her post "I love being a Christian nurse" in a nursing/spirituality section of allnurses. She wrote a few sentences explaining why; if she just wrote that she "loved being a nurse," then the whole bit about people not sharing her beliefs wouldn't make much sense.

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

In response to the post about how Christianity impacts nursing care:

It may not impact nursing care itself, but one's religion/spirituality does affect how one sees the world (and in response to being judgmental toward prostitutes, drug addiction, that is not the case at all; yes, probably in some very fundamental sects of Christianity, but most Christians should respond non-judgmentally).

Mercy: not getting what you do deserve

Grace: getting what you don't deserve, so...

In a nutshell, I and other Christians believe that by grace we are saved. How Christianity impacts our nursing care: we provide compassionate care to patients, comforting them, and healing them through nursing measures. This is not to imply that non-Christians do not provide compassionate care; a PP was just wondering how Christianity would impact one's nursing care.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
In response to the post about how Christianity impacts nursing care:

It may not impact nursing care itself, but one's religion/spirituality does affect how one sees the world (and in response to being judgmental toward prostitutes, drug addiction, that is not the case at all; yes, probably in some very fundamental sects of Christianity, but most Christians should respond non-judgmentally).

Mercy: not getting what you do deserve

Grace: getting what you don't deserve, so...

In a nutshell, I and other Christians believe that by grace we are saved. How Christianity impacts our nursing care: we provide compassionate care to patients, comforting them, and healing them through nursing measures. This is not to imply that non-Christians do not provide compassionate care; a PP was just wondering how Christianity would impact one's nursing care.

Not sure how you're drawing a distinction anywhere. Are you saying Christian nurses are just better than everyone else at that? If not, why mention it at all?

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.
In response to the post about how Christianity impacts nursing care:

It may not impact nursing care itself, but one's religion/spirituality does affect how one sees the world (and in response to being judgmental toward prostitutes, drug addiction, that is not the case at all; yes, probably in some very fundamental sects of Christianity, but most Christians should respond non-judgmentally).

Mercy: not getting what you do deserve

Grace: getting what you don't deserve, so...

In a nutshell, I and other Christians believe that by grace we are saved. How Christianity impacts our nursing care: we provide compassionate care to patients, comforting them, and healing them through nursing measures. This is not to imply that non-Christians do not provide compassionate care; a PP was just wondering how Christianity would impact one's nursing care.

Christianity does not have the corner market on mercy or grace.

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Specializes in Surgery/Trauma ICU.

Have you ever head of New Book and Training Program

The Divine Mercy is Catholic based from Saint Faustina. It is very interesting and so lovely! It really shows how religion and spirituality should be in part of a patients care plan. I urge you to read this. You can order the book online. Once you've read it, you can download a test from the website and receive 8 CE's!

God Bless!

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Ruas61 and Nursel56,

I believe when posters like Good Morning, Gil state that their Christianity enables them to provide compassionate care, it is not to say that others are unable (as they have repeatedly stated). EVERYONE is able... but some find that their faith *guides* them in their compassion. Others may find other sources of inspiration, but we all have a reason.

Why are some people looking for a way to turn any statement into something negative?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

I think many people jump to the notion of us vs. them because the core of Christianity is also divisive. Hear me out.

Christianity requires a belief in Jesus as the one Savior in order to be saved. If you don't believe that, you are not saved, you have no promise of eternal salvation, and your death does not bring eternal life.

In other words, if you don't believe as a Christian does, you are barred from eternal life according to the doctrine of Christianity itself.

That's a pretty exclusive club, and the notion can continue into other discussions when the term Christian is used as a modifier of something not related to Christianity in modern vernacular, like nursing.

ETA: Some people balk at that. I personally don't. I am an atheist married to a very devout follower of Jesus--I stop short of saying he's a "Christian" only because his beliefs are much broader than traditional Christian doctrine allows, and I feel saying he's a Christian would imply ideas about his beliefs that don't really exist. My children are being raised spiritually by my husband, and I sit quietly while those three pray...in a freakin' restaurant!!! (My younger boy's idea that my husband doesn't want to squelch, although my husband has also told me it makes him a little anxious.) So, I have a thicker atheist skin than most.

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Specializes in LTC.

Gonna say right now..I'm a Christian and I say...who cares??????? A nurse is a nurse...what next I'm glad I'm a Christian farmer, carpenter, housekeeper, janitor, lawyer??? I'm all for standing for what you believe but that's a bit ridiculous....

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Specializes in Homecare, Public Health.

Amazing...... After reading the OPs statement which I believe is just a 'happy, feel good type statement' and then reading all of the comments both negative & positive..... remembering I live in the USA land of the free

My comment is to the OP:

"Good for you. If it makes you feel proud and good to be a christian and a nurse then good for you"

:)

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They bumped up my surgery & the Minister was in with another

patient; my mom and I were about to pray when the nurse came in. I asked if she would like to join she declined (no problem) but then she added her two cents (as many have on here) "I don't know why people bother, the doctor is the one who is holding your life in his hands; but if you must can you do it quickly so we can get you to the OR" I was shocked...

I am shocked too. Some people have no tact.

(granted, I don't always either. but c'mon...basics)

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

This is a spirituality forum. There is a huge ocean between religiosity ans spirituality. Religion is a form of brainwashing. Most people just follow along with what they grew up with. Sometimes the brainwashing is for the sake of good...yes, I have worked in a prison and it can be of use there. But most of the time it's a construct devoid of looking for any deeper meaning to the Great Mystery. Einstein was a deist without being a bible thumper. The original OP by the mere act of even posting Christianity and her nuursing practice liinked them together with the implicatiion that if heshe were NOT Christian, things would be different. Perhaps we should have separate forums for religion and spirituality. Religion is usually given to us, but spirituality must be earned.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.
How about this: meeting the PATIENT'S spiritual needs.

All anyone wants to talk about on this particular section appears to be their own spiritual needs.

We must care for and meet the patients' spiritual needs. However, it is important that we also care for ourselves and that includes our spiritual health. It is crucial that we determine how to balance that in our lives lest we fall victim to compassion fatigue.

I believe that this forum is a safe place for nurses to explore their spirituality as it affects or doesn't affect their practice.

Not a criticism, just another perspective on the thread...

Peace out...

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