Christian Science Nurses

Inspired By Silence · Oct 5, 2009

"Truth be, if we act like nurses, in our hearts, we are nurses"???? Tell that to the BON ...
In the states with title protection, people aren't legally allowed to call themselves a "nurse" (and take money from other people for being one!) without a license from the state, which these people don't have. They are getting special exceptions to the state laws to allow them to use the title even though they don't meet the qualifications everyone else is required to. Those of us in states with title protection went to a lot of trouble to get the title protection written into state law, and we did not do it so that unqualified and unlicensed people, however well-meaning, would still be able to legally call themselves "nurses."
Since what they do is CNA level interventions anyway, why can't they call themselves Christian Science "assistants," "carers," "healers," or anything other than "nurses"? Again, I have no problem with them doing what they do -- I just object to them calling themselves "nurses."

I disagree. I find the whole "I'm a nurse, you're not" issue incredibly trivial for people who should be acting more like professionals. Why not show the world what makes you a nurse through actions rather than pointlessly trivializing their own definitions of nurse.

Actions speak louder than words, but ignorance is screams like a child with a megaphone.

Junebugfairy · Oct 5, 2009

inspired by silence~

"nurse" is a legally protected title. it is a title given to the ladies and gents who pass the nclex state boards of nursing. nurses have a license to practice nursing, make sense?

if you are not an lpn, rn, crna, etc.. you are not nurse, do not collect go, do not collect 200$, and do not call yourself a nurse.

you are a*** caregiver*** if you are a cna, nurse aide, or an unlicensed giver of care. if you are not a nurse, which is a licensed position, you are a caregiver.. makes sense? nurses have licenses, a lot of education, and knowledge that far surpasses anything i ever thought i could learn. i am in nursing school now, btw. :)

no one is getting their panties in a wad, we are simply trying to protect our title, a title which is earned through years of education and passing state boards.

call yourself a " christian nurse assistant" a christian caregiver"

but you are not a nurse unless you pass the state boards, and then become licensed.

it is not being trivial, we are stating facts.

ukstudent · Oct 5, 2009

I disagree. I find the whole "I'm a nurse, you're not" issue incredibly trivial for people who should be acting more like professionals. Why not show the world what makes you a nurse through actions rather than pointlessly trivializing their own definitions of nurse.
Actions speak louder than words, but ignorance is screams like a child with a megaphone.

I couldn't disagree more. I want to know that the "nurse" looking after me in the OR, ICU etc., is not someone that lost their job last week as a mechanic and decided to be a nurse this week. And that you think it would be OK, as long as they are caring is very scary. As for professionalism, protection of the general public and your fellow nurses of whatever level is being professional. Do think Dr's are not professional? When someone claims to be a Doctor, charges Pt's for care, preforms procedures, gives medical advice as is NOT a doctor, then guess what happens to them. They get prosecuted and sent to jail. How you think that is not being professional, I have no idea. :banghead:

I notice from your information that you are doing prereq's for nursing. If you get to achieve your dream of becoming a nurse I hope you will appreciate that the person working with you will actually be a nurse and not someone that claims to be a nurse because they care.

elkpark · Oct 6, 2009

I disagree. I find the whole "I'm a nurse, you're not" issue incredibly trivial for people who should be acting more like professionals. Why not show the world what makes you a nurse through actions rather than pointlessly trivializing their own definitions of nurse.
Actions speak louder than words, but ignorance is screams like a child with a megaphone.

Trivial? What about "I'm a neurosurgeon, you're not"? "I'm a dentist, you're not"? I'm a industrial engineer, you're not"? Are those distinctions also "trivial"? Is it okay if people call themselves those titles when they aren't qualified? Are there no professional educations and licenses that matter to you, or is it just nursing that you don't care about? You've mentioned before that you're a pre-nursing student, I believe -- if nursing education and licensure don't matter, why are you bothering to pursue them? Why not just go out into the world and show the world by your actions that you're a "nurse" right now?

BTW, what "makes (me) a nurse" is my education and licensure, not any warm, fuzzy feelings or religious beliefs I may have.

Junebugfairy · Oct 6, 2009

elkpark~

""i'm a neurosurgeon, you're not"? "i'm a dentist, you're not"?"

did you not hear the news? you too can call yourself a neurosurgeon, it is all about that "caring attitude"!!now, you go and demand that pay raise..

getting back to reality here..

"btw, what "makes (me) a nurse" is my education and licensure, not any warm, fuzzy feelings or religious beliefs i may have."

i totally agree!! i love caring for people, i have always wanted to be a nurse, but it is not all about warm and fuzzy hugs. you have lives in your hands.

bookwormom · Oct 6, 2009

Here is a site for an Organization for Christian Science Nurses: http://aocsn.org/

Junebugfairy · Oct 6, 2009

just for the sheer heck of it i went to their website and read a little..

they are not, i repeat not "nurses". no nclex state board. i do not believe they should use the title "nurse", it should be "caregiver".

sharpeimom · Oct 6, 2009

btw, what "makes (me) a nurse" is my education and licensure, not any warm, fuzzy feelings or religious beliefs i may have.

i was a nurturing, loving, caring child. i tended injured small animals, rocked my dolls to sleep, sung to and burped them. i played with younger cousins and wiped their tears. my dolls had some pretty creative maladies. was i a nurse? no, i was a nurturer. later on, i spent six years in college learning and practicing my nursing skills. was i a nurse then? nope. i studied a lot and took what were then referred to as state boards. came out feeling like the world's biggest fool. passed. finally! i was a real nurse!!!

licensed = nurse

no license = not a nurse

simple as that.

kathy

sharpei mom:paw::paw:

Inspired By Silence · Oct 6, 2009

Nurses were not always medically licensed clinicians. Back in Jesus' day, inn keepers called themselves nurses while they cared for wounded and fatigue travelers. A Medical Doctor has always been a licensed practitioner which is why the term "Medical Doctor" is protected, but the term "doctor" can be applied to anyone with a PhD or clinical doctorate. A nurse can be anyone who provides intimate care such as a CNA. Bash me if it makes you happy, but fighting over the internet isn't likely to change my opinion.

While I say a CNA may call themselves a nurse, that doesn't mean they can call themselves a LPN or RN. Nor am I saying it's ok for a CNA to do function outside their scope of practice, doing things such as passing meds or starting intravenous lines. These are things only a licensed nurse may do.

The conclusion is that the terms "doctor" or "nurse" are not specific enough titles to be protected. Registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, medical doctor and doctor of osteopathy, though, are protected titles that require intense training, rigorous licensure, and licensure maintenance.

If you can't see where I'm coming from now, then your mind is too closed.

sharpeimom · Oct 7, 2009

nurses were not always medically licensed clinicians. back in jesus' day, inn keepers called themselves nurses while they cared for wounded and fatigue travelers. a medical doctor has always been a licensed practitioner which is why the term "medical doctor" is protected, but the term "doctor" can be applied to anyone with a phd or clinical doctorate. a nurse can be anyone who provides intimate care such as a cna. bash me if it makes you happy, but fighting over the internet isn't likely to change my opinion.
while i say a cna may call themselves a nurse, that doesn't mean they can call themselves a lpn or rn. nor am i saying it's ok for a cna to do function outside their scope of practice, doing things such as passing meds or starting intravenous lines. these are things only a licensed nurse may do.
the conclusion is that the terms "doctor" or "nurse" are not specific enough titles to be protected. registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, medical doctor and doctor of osteopathy, though, are protected titles that require intense training, rigorous licensure, and licensure maintenance.
if you can't see where i'm coming from now, then your mind is too closed.

then my mind is too closed.

kathy

sharpeimom:paw::paw:

bookwormom · Oct 7, 2009

"Nurses were not always medically licensed clinicians. Back in Jesus' day, inn keepers called themselves nurses while they cared for wounded and fatigue travelers. A Medical Doctor has always been a licensed practitioner which is why the term "Medical Doctor" is protected, but the term "doctor" can be applied to anyone with a PhD or clinical doctorate. A nurse can be anyone who provides intimate care such as a CNA."

I'd like to respond to the above comments. I agree that the term "nurse" can be used in a general sense, as referring to one who nurtures or cares, as "I nursed my child through cancer", or "I nursed my parents in their old age". However, the use of the term "nurse" in a health care setting, or in public commerce, really is protected in many cases.

I'd like to ask the source of your assertion that innkeepers in the early days of Jesus called themselves nurses. I knew that male religious orders cared for wounded and fatigued travelers, but I thought that was in the time of the Crusades. (I realize, of course, that religious orders have long been involved in nursing care.)

I disagree that, historically, medical doctors have always been licensed practitioners. You may access this site to look at the history of medical licensure in the US: http://healthcare-economist.com/2006/12/19/physician-licensure-and-quality-part-iix/

Overall, I do see where you're coming from. It has been an good discussion, and I'm interested in the responses. However, I will restate my original intent, an interest in how Christian Science nurses interface with other health care givers, and what kinds of experiences people have had with them. I had read a rather negative description of Christian Science health care in the book God's Perfect Child, and I am looking for some perspective.

Inspired By Silence · Oct 7, 2009

"Nurses were not always medically licensed clinicians. Back in Jesus' day, inn keepers called themselves nurses while they cared for wounded and fatigue travelers. A Medical Doctor has always been a licensed practitioner which is why the term "Medical Doctor" is protected, but the term "doctor" can be applied to anyone with a PhD or clinical doctorate. A nurse can be anyone who provides intimate care such as a CNA."
I'd like to respond to the above comments. I agree that the term "nurse" can be used in a general sense, as referring to one who nurtures or cares, as "I nursed my child through cancer", or "I nursed my parents in their old age". However, the use of the term "nurse" in a health care setting, or in public commerce, really is protected in many cases.
I'd like to ask the source of your assertion that innkeepers in the early days of Jesus called themselves nurses. I knew that male religious orders cared for wounded and fatigued travelers, but I thought that was in the time of the Crusades. (I realize, of course, that religious orders have long been involved in nursing care.)
I disagree that, historically, medical doctors have always been licensed practitioners. You may access this site to look at the history of medical licensure in the US: http://healthcare-economist.com/2006/12/19/physician-licensure-and-quality-part-iix/
Overall, I do see where you're coming from. It has been an good discussion, and I'm interested in the responses. However, I will restate my original intent, an interest in how Christian Science nurses interface with other health care givers, and what kinds of experiences people have had with them. I had read a rather negative description of Christian Science health care in the book God's Perfect Child, and I am looking for some perspective.

Here is an example of an inkeeper nursing a wounded man.

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

Keep the faith alive.