Looking to connect with other Christian nurses

Nurses Spirituality

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Hi everyone,

My name is Suzie. I am a registered nurse in Pensacola, Florida. Nursing has been my heart and passion more and sometimes less since the mid 1990's. I have worked in the acute care hospital setting since then. I have a wandering spirit, so I have experience in most areas of adult care.

I expected Jesus Christ as my Savior as a young adult, years before becoming a nurse. Initially, I did not feel "called" into nursing, but soon began to realize my potential to serve as Christ's ambassador to the sick and dying. Although, I have to be honest and say that my feelings regarding my nursing career have not always been "blissful." I have been, like many other nursing colleagues, tapped dry by the realities of our profession. THANKFULLY, I allowed the Lord to refresh my spirit and regained a renewed perspective on our blessed profession and my opportunity to serve.

In 2006, I founded a nursing ministry organization. Since then, I, along with many of my nursing friends, have pursued a variety of activities aimed at encouraging other nurses and serving local and global communities.

I am currently in school pursuing a graduate degree in nursing education at Walden University online. I am enjoying this experience very much as it expanding my knowledge and perspective regarding patient care and nursing professional issues.

I live in Pensacola, Florida with my husband, Michael. We have four grown children and a precious granddaughter.

I am looking forward to connecting with nurses of the Christian faith from around the world.

Blessings!

Suzie

P.S. I also updated my profile and social media info if you are interested.

Specializes in LTC/Rehab, ICF/MR, Mental Health.

Nice to see other Christian nurses!

Specializes in Most areas of adult hospital care.
hi suzie..i loved ur above article ..and m new to this site as i joined today...

i am a registered nurse from india and am a born again believer ..

i love my job as i c this as a part of ministry....

but my problem is that i cant it make it to the church all 52 weeks in a year..as my charge nurse finds it difficult to give duties on sunday morning to other nurses. do you consider it as a sin??? as i always wish to attend the worship which is only on sundays morning..

please do send me reply..

regards priya

Priya,

I know what you mean by feeling as though your nursing career is a ministry; I feel the same way. We follow in the foot steps of centuries of nurses that felt the same way. If you ask me, we are doing among the purest form of the Lord's work.

I also empathize with you regarding feeling uneasy about not going to church on Sundays. I do agree with rncat200, when she said her father reminded her that even Jesus healed on the Sabbath (or Sunday in our case). Jesus did not come to make us feel guilty. He came to free us from being a slave to guilt and sin. Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." He knows your heart and the limitations in your work environment.

You are right that it is important to worship, but I encourage to find other ways to it. It could be listening, singing and dancing to special music that the Lord uses to draw you closer to Him. Invite your friends to join you as well. Matthew 18:20 says, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them."

But, the bottom line is, as you mentioned, your work is your ministry, or you can also look at it like your work is a form of your worship to God.

The Sabbath is intended to be a day of rest, as well. This is for our own good, because the Lord knew we would need it. He speaks volumes to us when we are resting (and praying).

So, I believe it is fine to work on Sunday when you must. Just find other times to meditate on God, pray, study His Word, and worship Him. But also begin to pray with boldness that the Lord will work it out for you to have more Sunday's off as well. Things will change in the future-if by chance they do not, you can be confident that you are where you are on Sundays for a reason.

Blessings!

Suzie

Specializes in Most areas of adult hospital care.
Hello all. I ended up reading these posts as they were "liked" on our home page. Please forgive my questions, as I am not a nurse yet, I hope to start school in the fall. I am not religious, but respect those who are. Does religion come up more because of the field you are all in, or do most people keep it private? I am not sure what to say to patients or families if this topic comes up?

Thanks :)

Toonis,

Congratulations on your new beginning into nursing! It is evident that you are beginning to cultivate your critical thinking skills and using wisdom. You are already thinking like a nurse!

First, you are looking to learn from others in the allnurses community and asking questions.

Second, although some would disagree, it is wise that you are wondering how to help a patient with spiritual needs - Christian or non-Christian. A patient or family member with spiritual needs/distress will be more common in some nursing disciplines than others- say, Hospice, NICU vs. postpartum, school nursing. However, these are not certainties either way. You just never know who may verbalize a spiritual need.

Humans are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual beings. The World Health Organization and JCAHO set the expectation that a patient has their spiritual needs assessed. They offer assessment guidelines as well. If we discovered a need, the nurse should do what he or she can to implement a plan to help the patient have those needs met. This can be through calling the patient's spiritual pastor/advisor, the chaplain or finding someone else who is competent and willing to help.

In nursing, we call this "holistic care."

So, to answer your question- Yes, I think the subject of religion probably comes up more often with a nurses patients simply due to the lengths of our patient contacts. Also, we are usually the ones, there to comfort the patients in their greatest time of need.

No worries, you will do fine when the time comes. You evidentially have a good head on your shoulders.

May God bless you as you proceed into the profession.

SuzieF.

Specializes in Paediatrics.
Gold_SJ,

I agree with you only some are called to evangelism. When we are in our caregiver roles as nurses, it is always best to simply allow the Spirit of God to speak the truth of the Gospel. He can do this through our prayers and actions. No proselytism needed.

One of the best quotes ever is..."Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words." (St. Francis ?)

Do you mind if I ask what direction you feel the Lord is taking you if it is not nursing?

Just curious.

Blessings,

Suzie

^.^ That's alright, with nursing I do love it but I feel unsettled like I'm supposed to be doing something else. I pray that I do what's right and I have a sense I'm supposed to write. Which I do daily (as I personally love to) but whether it eventuates as being the correct path I don't yet know. Just have to keep praying and trusting the Lord.

Specializes in Most areas of adult hospital care.

^.^ That's alright, with nursing I do love it but I feel unsettled like I'm supposed to be doing something else. I pray that I do what's right and I have a sense I'm supposed to write. Which I do daily (as I personally love to) but whether it eventuates as being the correct path I don't yet know. Just have to keep praying and trusting the Lord.

I think that is wonderful. Write away! I look forward reading your work.

To all Christian nurses,

It's very encouraging to read all these posts. I'm gathering that Christian nurses are not entirely alone in their faith within the workplace? I currently work in the banking industry and these topics relating to faith are very, very, very rarely talked about. Probably because most of my clients are focusing on money and wealth and not health or life & death. I have been struggling with the nature of my work for a few years now. I tend to be very quiet about my beliefs in my workplace, but it is good to know that there are nurses out there that are believers and can talk to patients, if asked. I think as a nurse I will be very quiet about my faith, focusing solely on the needs of the patient, but it is good to know that there are many patients that do appreciate being cared for.

Specializes in Most areas of adult hospital care.

Congrats Kimberly!

Specializes in Most areas of adult hospital care.

I have said a prayer for everyone in this thread today... May God's light and hope radiate through you! May you be a conduit of hope for your patients!

Specializes in Endocrinology, hopefully.

I'm actually at the midpoint in my journey to be an RN-/ I'm through with pre-reqs and will be starting nursing school in the fall. (Of course then im planning to do an RN-MSN program to NP immediately after!) As I live in the Deep South, Christianity is something that is pretty much out there and respected by most (even if they don't agree with it). I would pray that my very life is a testimony to God-- I'm not one who knows much about apologetics and talking about my faith in a "let me convert you" way. I do hope, though, that people will recognize my joy and want it for themselves!

I'm so glad to see so many other brothers and sisters in Christ. ;) I'll add you all to my prayers and look forward to seeing how this thread progresses!

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hi Suzie, so nice to meet you! I am a Christian and RN as well. I am living in Washington state, but am originally from Georgia. I love the Panama City/Pensacola area of Florida. It is where I met my husband and where we were married. It's so nice to see so many comments from fellow believers. Living here in the Pacific Northwest, I have found that there are few Christians in my practice, and most are silent about their beliefs. I do not preach my beliefs, but I am proud of who I am in Christ and I enjoy talking about Him and His blessings. I am very interested in your outreach, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. I would love to talk more with you as I am certain I could benefit from your outreach. :)

Specializes in Most areas of adult hospital care.

Hey Underoo!

Thank you for connecting with me. I will be contacting you for sure.

Blessings,

Suzie

Specializes in Most areas of adult hospital care.

Hi Melissa!

I am so excited for you as you begin your adventure into the wonderful world of nursing. Your life will be transformed in a remarkable and fulfilling way. Just let the love and light of Christ radiate through you, and be prepared to provide an answer to those who ask about the source of your hope and strength. People will indeed recognize your joy and be attracted to it.

You live right down the road from me. I live in Pensacola. Message me if you would like to have coffee sometime.

Best Wishes!

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