The patient, who is christ

[Bro. David BSN]

One Day we are on our patient audit for 3-11 shift in the next day in one of the hospital in the Philippines. I was called by our Clinical Instructor (CI) and I was assigned in a patient with full thickness burns. The patient was in the 50's . During our conversation and Nurse Patient Interaction getting the necessary health data and information of the accident there is something I feel inside me, It is very strange, something unusual, my heart beats fast, and then suddenly I saw the scourged Jesus in Him , the one that is likely shown in the passion of Christ. I saw in his eyes the suffering that he was encountering as what our Lord experienced during the time he was hanging on the tree of cross. I heard in his voice the agony and pain, like Jesus whispering in me "Come my Dear, come and comfort me" . I feel the totality of putting myself before the tree of the cross when our Loving lord was in HIS last moment of His life.

As the time gone by, I am enjoying the moment with my Lord, but I cannot bear the felling within , I want to cry ! I want to hug him! I want to say "Lord I love you please forgive me of my hardheadedness!" . But I must do the right thing, maybe if I did such thing he may encountered more injury because of the open tissue ; or maybe get insulted. I did not show to my patient the tears within my eyes. I didn't want to allow my patient to see the uncovered pain of my sliced heart.

I politely excused myself and run to the chapel of the Hospital, where my tears burst and my heart weeps. Once again I felt that I am placed on the time where the Loving lord was being whip by the sharp metals of the Roman soldiers. I felt the pain of being scourged, persecuted and left.

During the night I can't sleep . All my mind was occupied by the tender love of God to us. Giving His most precious son Jesus Christ. Meditating on the Paschal mystery of Jesus. The pain and the joy combined. Pain because of my sins, my shortcomings and my naughtiness. Joy for this treasured moments and experienced that HE (Jesus) unveiled to me.

I had served the patient with all my Best. Serving a King. I saw in him the Lord . My Master my Love my all! And that experienced was cherished inside me. The calling within the call as mother Theresa said was experienced by me.. Thank you Lord... Thank you Jesus!!!

[rn/writer, RN]

Could you tell me what post you are referring to?

[XXWeaponX]

Could you tell me what post you are referring to?

This thread is 10 pages. My original comment is a response to the racist comment,the ONLY comment that asked that racism not be a part of a response. I can't even find my original response, let alone that comment, I don't have time, my lunch is ending. Go through the thread if you have the time to spare.

[talaxandra]

I believe XXWeaponX was referring to this post, specifically :

However, your commentary on his English, when I believe he indicates he is in the Philippines in his profile or post, comes across as xenophobic and unnecessary. I think we can all agree that what is disturbing is the content of his post, not his grammatical errors. Pointing out "I seriously hope that the reason this post is so disturbing is because the OP didn't have the correct grammer to get across his points. To me, this sounds like a very ethnocentric person" and "(again, in broken, hard to understand English)" is uncalled for. His post wasn't in broken English,it had some grammatical errors, but not many. Nor was it hard to read, in fact the message was loud and clear, which is why so many of us are aghast after reading it.

I'm impressed by people that speak multiple languages, and I wish I was one of them. We native English speakers aren't better than anyone else. I hope that in the future, you can focus on the excellent points you made about the post/OP and leave the jingoism behind.

As XXWeaponX pointed out in his most recent post, this did go otherwise uncommented on.

[NightOwl0624]

I believe XXWeaponX was referring to this post, specifically :

As XXWeaponX pointed out in his most recent post, this did go otherwise uncommented on.

People who posted on this thread most likely did not read every word of every post.

There were several posts that I felt that were very ... well, disrespectful, and going back through the thread, that was definitely one of them. XXWeaponX did a fine job putting that poster in his place with his inappropriate comments regarding the OP's grasp of the English language. Thanks, XXWeaponX.

[rn/writer, RN]

i believe post #6 is the one that xxweaponx was referring to:

has a poor grasp of the english language.- i seriously hope that the reason this post is so disturbing is because the op didn't have the correct grammer to get across his points. to me, this sounds like a very ethnocentric person who "sees christ"-

i addressed this complaint in post #12

the op is from the philippines. english may not be his first language. many people who learn to speak a second (or third or fourth) language struggle with idiomatic speech. one result can be a message that seems overly dramatic.

if language were the primary sticking point, i'm sure there would have been responses that stated it was largely immaterial to the discussion. and that is true.

if you are saying that xenophobia added to the anti-religious tone of this discussion, i don't know. that's certainly possible, but i wouldn't presume to know for sure that it was the motivation. i do think there is a lack of understanding about religious orders and how they might function in a different culture. so perhaps not xenophobia (which assumes hostility) so much as a lack of cultural awareness both on an ethnic and a religious front.

for instance, someone said,

"i would expect a monk in training would not be on allnurses, or the internet.... hmmm."

there are many religious orders throughout the world that not only allow internet contact, but have their own websites as well. some cloistered groups might not encourage this, but many other orders permit the use of newspapers, magazines and television within certain guidelines. websites are a valuable tool for those who seek a vocation and for the convents and monasteries that support themselves with crafts and food items they make to market their wares. honey, pretzels, greeting cards, etc. dom perignon champagne, anyone?

"i think the seminary people have a role in healthcare if those spiritual needs are under duress, but not to be blurred w/ medical and health care, which is what appeared was happening," "i don't believe that a seminary student should be a nurse."

this flies in the face of centuries of religious orders starting, building and maintaining medical institutions. hence the large numbers of hospitals named after catholic saints. religious brothers and sisters staffed these facilities to begin with and are still a part of many hospitals.

"and if so, you should practice where your patients know and expect that religious slant on your nursing practice."

this one made me smile. this is a brother in the philippines. many of the hospitals there are catholic, as is much of the population. he is practicing in a place where his patients know and expect a religious slant on nursing. even so, he says he kept the experience to himself to avoid making his patient uncomfortable in any way.

the last example could be seen as a little xenophobic--someone so jarred by the thought of a nurse having a spiritual experience on the job (hidden, though it remained), that the context wasn't considered. this applies as well to some of the other posters who assumed the op was delusional, etc. this is a catholic brother in a predominantly catholic country. while i would venture to guess that much of europe and certain parts of the us see spiritual ideas and principles as incompatible with the medical workplace, other parts of the world neither share nor practice this enmity.

one other note: the op calls himself bro. david doncillo bsn. this story, in which he refers to his clinical days, appears to have taken place a while ago.

[GilaRRT]

I am still a little confused: I have a somewhat similar experience and it's just PTSD and not a big deal. Somebody else attaches a divine interpretation and everybody is concerned and making a big deal out of it. Interesting...

[bookwormom]

It sounds to me like the OP had a genuine Mystical Experience. Mystical experiences in themselves, however perceived, are not considered psychotic under the criteria for psychiatric diagnosis.

The OP is relatively unusual in being willing to share his experience. That takes conviction and courage. In terms of nursing, I believe that the act of caring, in and of itself, has the potential to bring about deep spiritual, even mystical, experiences. Even nurses who would not call themselves religious may find that in caring for others--patients or family members- they have a deep spiritual response.

[Bro. David BSN]

To stand what my faith called me for, to be firm like the saints do... is what i will do...

Maybe things become complicated today in nursing practice because of the neglect of the Spirituality of the RN's . Let us all remember that Spirituality according to the Fundamentals of nursing is the "the which gives meaning to a persons life." your life is not complete without being spiritual, (Spiritual not means to be come a Christian but to have a belief in a Higher Being, a Divine. " If our action as Nurses is done not with our devotedness to our Creator "doing things to other is doing it to HIM" ... for whom or what we do it for? ?? for Money? if it is for money... i think you need to have a reflection.

[morecoffeepls, BSN, RN]

"To stand what my faith called me for, to be firm like the saints do... is what i will do...

Maybe things become complicated today in nursing practice because of the neglect of the Spirituality of the RN's . Let us all remember that Spirituality according to the Fundamentals of nursing is the "the which gives meaning to a persons life." your life is not complete without being spiritual, (Spiritual not means to be come a Christian but to have a belief in a Higher Being, a Divine. " If our action as Nurses is done not with our devotedness to our Creator "doing things to other is doing it to HIM" ... for whom or what we do it for? ?? for Money? if it is for money... i think you need to have a reflection. "

I take a peek at this thread when I'm bored for some reason. I would like to not do that any more, please. That being said, I've come to the conclusion that, language issues aside, the OP is fairly confused and, no offense, seemingly caricatural in his portayal of the fervent devotee to a degree that merits concern. Of course he is genuine and passionate, but the "ickiness" factor shared by some is as understandable as the need for others to commend or defend this person's experience and the way he chooses to communicate on this forum. I am either indifferent or neutral, so by no means do I wish to attack or offend anyone.

Out of the two essentially different definitions of spirituality provided in the last post by Bro. David, I prefer the former considering its source and that this is a nursing forum. Also, it is accurate and appropriate, and most of us probably don't need to be lectured about holistic care and what it implies. This OP is, for lack of a better term, unbalanced. I think he needs to "have a reflection." I have no problem with someone who devotes his or her actions, nursing or otherwise, to a Divine Creator or What-Have-You, and for all you know I may do so myself. However, to impose one's beliefs on these beautiful, intelligent, talented nurses who have visited this post and demand that they reflect on their sources of motivation because they may or may not be the same as yours is absurd and offensive and shows your cards, so to speak. I don't have time to filter through all the nonsense of the past 100 or so posts to this thread, (I kinda do, but I'll pass), but I would bet it's more of the same.

The call to nursing does not need to be heralded by trumpet-blowing angels or the voice of Yahweh or Catherine of Siena rousing us to action. Your spiritual awakening, Bro. David BSN, is what gives your life and your actions meaning. Please don't ask others to defend or reflect upon their own reasons for becoming a nurse, or for "whom or what" they do it, day in and day out with a passion that isn't diminished by any lack of the immoderate, fanatical religiosity that informs your posts. You're familiar with trinitas, yes? "Maybe things become complicated today in nursing practice because of the ..." lack of balance when it comes to treating the Mind, Body, & Spirit of the patient. In your case, this balance seems a little tipped to one side; maybe not in your practice (what would I know of that?), but on this forum. It's a little much is all.

Also, I really enjoy coffee.

[rn/writer, RN]

To stand what my faith called me for, to be firm like the saints do... is what i will do...

Maybe things become complicated today in nursing practice because of the neglect of the Spirituality of the RN's . Let us all remember that Spirituality according to the Fundamentals of nursing is the "the which gives meaning to a persons life." your life is not complete without being spiritual, (Spiritual not means to be come a Christian but to have a belief in a Higher Being, a Divine. " If our action as Nurses is done not with our devotedness to our Creator "doing things to other is doing it to HIM" ... for whom or what we do it for? ?? for Money? if it is for money... i think you need to have a reflection.

As one who has defended you and your experience, I now have to take a different stand. Not everyone chooses to believe in or recognize a Supreme Being. That doesn't mean their lives are without meaning. It may not be the meaning we would choose, but if God himself gives them freedom of choice, who are we to say different. It could well be that they feel bad for us because, in their eyes, we are so deluded and taken in by lies. Mutual respect of our fellow sojourners is the only thing that will keep us from attacking each other in the name of our particular truth.

As for the comment about needing a reflection if you're working for the money, there is nothing shameful about earning a paycheck and supporting a family. I'm thinking that as a religious brother you may not have that kind of responsibility, but most of the rest of us do. I know you're saying that money shouldn't be the main concern, but again, a lot of us have financial obligations we have to meet. Only God knows our hearts and what our true motivation is. I think we should leave it with him.

I do agree that spirituality has just about been smothered out of nursing practice in the name of being "respectful." We're all so afraid of stepping on toes that we rarely address that part of a patient's needs, except for a hasty hand-off to the chaplain-on-call. That's unfortunate. I think there are a lot of ways we can help patients get what they need if we can get past the idea that we're doing something wrong by even asking.

But that's a whole 'nuther thread.

[Bro. David BSN]

thank you rn.writer.... yes as you say that not all of us choses to have a"Supreme Being which we called God. " I am just qouting the difinition used in the fundamentals of nursing. and in taking the Holistic dimension of a person we are created in Body mind and spirit. a Body which you are right to sustain (all bodily needs and materials needs , foods shelter etc.), a mind to think , and a Spirit which is the one who connects us to Higher Being (God, Allah, Jehovah etc.). Maybe im not that smart in understanding things and maybe i have make error in understanding the deffinition in the Fundamentals of nursing one thing is clear for me... to givecare to our patient as serving the Lord,

[Zen123]

Spare us all filipinos by saying no more sir. You can touch more souls by giving love to the universe in silence than trying to rile up something that doesnt seem to sit well for some. Thank you for all the feed back everyone. Namaste. And Spread the love. :)