Nursing Spirituality

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The reason I became a CNA was because the very first time I opened the textbook (and I was a total newbie-outsider to anything like that), I felt like I was looking at the Gospel. I felt like caring for people, and being good at it, WAS the Gospel. Now, I'm an RN, and I still feel that way. That a shift at work is worshiping God, and a really hard shift, is glory.

Sometimes I feel the world needs nurses, not priests. But that's me, and even by my own reckoning, I'm utterly insane. So, what do you think? Does nursing have spiritual implications for you?

PS. I tried to get rid of the oversized image of the Good Samaritan up there, but it won't let me, and it won't let me delete my post and start over either. Sorry about that. Next time I'll know to resize my images first. :bag:

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

Yes. I have seen His hand at work. I have seen what to our human minds and hearts are "no" to prayers for healing, along with "yes". I don't understand it, but I trust that He always knows best.

I became a nurse to serve---Him and people. I'm privileged to have been able to do both and plan to until I'm done.

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

Off topic---you may want to change your profile picture to something other than you.

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Off topic---you may want to change your profile picture to something other than you.

I did, but why is that? :unsure:

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I became a nurse to serve---Him and people.

Yes, and I think it's like the same thing, you know?

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

Because we are supposed to be anonymous, for our potential protection. Unfortunately, there are some who would be less than kind directly to you if they know who you are/what you look like and figure out they actually know you.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
So, what do you think? Does nursing have spiritual implications for you?

Yes! Good enquiry, EGspirit!

This is from the thread "What do you love about nursing?"

"I am by no means, a religious person. However, the basic principles behind Christianity are worth following. Doing techy things like working in surgery, or administrative things like being a nursing supervisor were great and I feel blessed to have been able to work in those areas. But when I stoop down to help a geriatric psych patient put on their footies, I think of how Jesus washed the feet of his Disciples. Here this great man (or whatever else you may believe), humbled himself. He made himself equal to them by making himself less than them, but in reality, he was above them.

That doesn't sound the way I wanted to convey about how I think and feel bout nursing, but maybe you can get the gist. We are servants to those with which we provide care, but we are esteemed professionals in a respected field. So, whether I was first scrub on a lumbar laminectomy with a second scrub, two surgeons, three back tables and a mayo stand, or wiping the butt of an incontinent geriatric psych patient, I was doing a job that I love: providing comfort and care to another human being."

Thanks for asking!

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Because we are supposed to be anonymous, for our potential protection. Unfortunately, there are some who would be less than kind directly to you if they know who you are/what you look like and figure out they actually know you.

I suppose you're right.

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Well stated, thanks.

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

Well, unfortunately, the human nature is often (usually?) the one to prove thus.

Anyway----cute dog on your new pic.

The best to you in your new profession!

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

I've never been religious. But when I worked in a Catholic hospital one of my favourite things was Evening Prayer. I worked evening shift when I started there and usually ran around like a fiend without much in the way of breaks. At 9:00 every evening someone from Pastoral Care would recite a prayer or say a few words over the hospital intercom. I made a habit of ducking into an alcove at this time to take a couple of minutes to listen. I figured it was all positive energy regardless of my personal views, and I could use all the positive energy I could get.

Looking after the basic needs of strangers does put one in one's place. Much harder to be superficial or pretentious.

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My spirituality plays a strong role in my life and practice, and has everything to do with my journey from RN to NP. That would not be immediately apparent to anyone observing me at work, most likely. Although I do get guidance with some situations and cases.

Sad that we seldom discuss this issue.

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