Boldness to Speak

Nurses Spirituality

Published

I wanted to write this as an encouragement to other believers in the LORD Jesus Christ, that there are opportunities to give the Gospel in nursing.

I am in my last semester of a nursing program. It is at a technical college, and none of my classmates seem to be Christians. A few perhaps in name, but language and life do not line up. I had a desire to give the Gospel to every one of my classmates as well as my teachers, but the possibility of being able to speak personally with them for any length of time while completing nursing school just did not seem to be a possibility.

I decided that at the end of my previous semester, I could make gift packages with homemade soap, small gifts and a Gospel tract. I was able to give these to my classmates and teachers, and I also plan, LORD willing, to give them to the incoming nursing class as well.

For my patients, I have been able to pray with a couple of them based on their request. I have had patients ask me why I treat them the way I do - in other words, I think and hope that Jesus Christ is shining through - and they want to know what it is in me that loves them no matter what.

I think it all depends on your circumstances and how far you are willing to go. I just try to tell my patients about Jesus whenever I can - whenever they want me to.

I hope maybe this can encourage someone. As days are getting darker and the second coming of Jesus is closer than ever, I think we will have a higher price to pay for sharing our faith. Perhaps it is better to make it a habit now when it is easier than later. May the LORD Jesus embolden us that we would not be ashamed of Him when real persecution comes.

Might be unpopular to write, but so what! It is not me that counts, only Him! :)

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Ma'am,

With all due respect, I am very happy that you are able to find happiness and peace in your Christian faith. Had I been your classmate, I would have been livid at your presumption that I did not have happiness and peace in my own faith, and that you felt it was your place to "correct" my religion choices. Because that's what you are doing - attempting to correct them to the religion you see fit, no matter their happiness, preferences, or even past experiences with your religion.

Also, please do not judge whether or not your fellow Christians are Christian enough to be called "Christian". It is unChristian.

I hope you continue to find peace in your choices, but please practice tolerance for others and their decisions by not cold-calling them with "the good news".

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Pediatrics.

Not all patients believe in Jesus though, I wouldn't want my nurse telling me about it whenever she could, I'd just want her to do her job.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

I'm a Christian, and I totally get where you're coming from...

However...

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It's fine to pray with your patients WHEN THEY REQUEST IT.

It's fine to discuss your faith with coworkers if it's relevant. No fire and brimstone.

A question for you...

would you be willing to try out a religious custom of a coworker (attend a Mosque or Temple, for example). If no, then you really can't expect them to do the same for you.

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People do not appreciate being told they are living any less of a life because of their lack of faith, or difference in faith.

I would hope you realize not everyone will be open to you advertising your faith so aggressively.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Having strong personal faith is fine but keep it to yourself . It is inappropriate to preach to patients or coworkers/classmates. I am an athiest and I have a wonderful life.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
I am an athiest and I have a wonderful life.

...but do you believe in angels? ;)

I mean - that is your username and all...

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Respect other faiths by keeping your own to yourself at work (unless asked). Serve in your church or participate in mission work. This is an appropriate venue for you to spread your faith. Good luck.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
...but do you believe in angels? ;)

I mean - that is your username and all...[/quote

lol actually I do! Ok make no sense. I don't subscribe to the big guy in the sky that grants wishes like some sort of genie or something

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Frankly, none of these responses offend me! You can choose to be offended; I am not judging anyone on this forum, I am just putting out an encouragement for other Christians to be bold about their faith. Jesus did say that people would be offended by His name, so I am not worried.

I think I did state in my OP that I will pray with pts when they ask. I do not try to push my faith on them, however, if I see an opportunity that the pt offers, I will take it.

My classmates were actually very appreciative of the gifts. Whether or not they read the Gospel tracts is not for me to know; I just pray for them. If they had chosen to refuse the gift, it would be their choice and I would be fine with that.

No, I would not be able to participate in another religion's customs. Why? Because there is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ. I can, however, respect their customs without having to agree with them.

I do just use words when giving the Gospel, however, I also use my lifestyle. I try to act in a manner that would show Christ to my patients. Believe me, I have many areas which the LORD is still working to make me more like Him! I think I just try to love my patients no matter what.

Thanks ya'll for the responses!

By the way, if I included something answering particularly to a post, but not quoted, I'm sorry, but I do not know how to use the quote feature yet!

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

I have prayed with many patients, always at their request. They were mostly Christian.

Christians usually figure out that I am Christian. I think it is something like how nurses usually figure out that I'm a nurse. Some kind of radar maybe?

My face is very expressive; maybe that's the key.

I stand ready to speak of Christ Jesus to any who express interest. Since I work in homes, I am very aware that I am a guest. This is THEIR home.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Not everyone is an in your face Christian as you seem to be. I for one, would NOT appreciate your gifts (it's none of your business about what I believe) and would have filed a complaint with administration had you been so bold to do what you did to me. I urge you to tread lightly when you do obtain your first nursing position....

I wanted to write this as an encouragement to other believers in the LORD Jesus Christ, that there are opportunities to give the Gospel in nursing.

I am in my last semester of a nursing program. It is at a technical college, and none of my classmates seem to be Christians. A few perhaps in name, but language and life do not line up. I had a desire to give the Gospel to every one of my classmates as well as my teachers, but the possibility of being able to speak personally with them for any length of time while completing nursing school just did not seem to be a possibility.

I decided that at the end of my previous semester, I could make gift packages with homemade soap, small gifts and a Gospel tract. I was able to give these to my classmates and teachers, and I also plan, LORD willing, to give them to the incoming nursing class as well.

For my patients, I have been able to pray with a couple of them based on their request. I have had patients ask me why I treat them the way I do - in other words, I think and hope that Jesus Christ is shining through - and they want to know what it is in me that loves them no matter what.

I think it all depends on your circumstances and how far you are willing to go. I just try to tell my patients about Jesus whenever I can - whenever they want me to.

I hope maybe this can encourage someone. As days are getting darker and the second coming of Jesus is closer than ever, I think we will have a higher price to pay for sharing our faith. Perhaps it is better to make it a habit now when it is easier than later. May the LORD Jesus embolden us that we would not be ashamed of Him when real persecution comes.

Might be unpopular to write, but so what! It is not me that counts, only Him! :)

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