I am a critical care nurse working in a large city. There is a nurse on our floor, on my shift, that is perhaps one of the best nurses I have ever seen. She knows her critical care nursing! She is a resource for many nurses. She is single although she was married in her 20s (she is currently mid 40s) but the marriage failed when her spouse announced he was gay. She is a great person and I know a great single man that would probably be a good match for her or so I thought. When I showed her his picture, she began to tell me that God has a master plan for her and he told her a long time ago that he would give her the perfect man. That was not too much of an alarming statement but the rambling continued. She began to tell me how God has chosen her to make sure that all things around her are done right and that it is her responsibility alone to stand up and defend right. She told me how he punished those that were unkind to her and reminded me of all the nurses that had left our unit in the last few months. These, she said, were the ones that had made her life hell while she had been working here. She said all the doctors know how she is and that the reason no one will date her is because "they know". God has her a "surprise" but he will make her think he has gotten her the one and then tell her "ha, ha just kidding". She says she hates God but knows she has to do what he says. She says she "knows things" and is able to forsee what is going to happen. She was a triplet born to a mother that had a mental disorder and spent her life in foster care supposedly with a good family. Her talk of them is about how her mother always pleased and placated the father.
I would have never have know she was delusional had I not just made a simple attempt to set her up with a nice man. I see in her work she is totally ethical. In fact, she always makes sure her patients have the best of care and if she sees another nurse not doing their job, she will be right on top of it. She feels it is her duty and responsibility as God as directed.
What can I do for her? My heart just broke as I heard her words! She is an excellent nurse, but I am worried for her and anyone she may think needs correction. I did not argue with her beliefs because I know that is futile. I did ask her was she sure it was God and not "the other side". She is sure it is God whom she is serving. Help me help her......PLEASE!
