National Nursing Week is Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12, 2019. Let us take this opportunity to appreciate and thank the amazing personalities who relentlessly serve our communities. Please join us on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 6:00 pm at HIPM. Add a thank you note below as a token of your appreciation.
Nursing is not just a profession, it’s not just a job or a paycheque; rather, it’s a ‘calling’.
– by Barbara Hunt (shared during the nurses recognition event on May 11, 2019 6:00 pm at HIPM).
For those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the bible tells us we are predestined or preordained. ROMANS 8:30 says: “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” The Webster’s dictionary defines the meaning of predestined as: “an outcome or course of events determined in advance by divine will or fate”. Each one of us, as God’s children, has a specific purpose to accomplish while on this earth. A purpose that will ultimately bring glory and honor to the son of God, and reflect the love and mercies of our heavenly Father.
Nursing is not just a profession, it’s not just a job or a paycheque; rather, it’s a ‘calling’. When you care for others – you are caring for Christ. MATTHEW 25:40 says “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” For those in need, those helpless to care for themselves – nurses, LPNs and Nurses’ Aides are the hands and feet of mercy – you are the hands and feet of Jesus. And for some, you will be the only reflection of Jesus they may encounter in their lifetime.
As Christians, we are all called to carry each other’s burdens – in GALATIANS 6:2 the bible says “ and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
So what does the Bible say about those who dedicate their lives to helping others? We know our heavenly father desires to see everyone caring for one another, as nurses care for their patients. Jesus tells us in MATTHEW 20:26-28 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Choosing to dedicate your life to caring of others reflects your heart to be like Jesus – to impact peoples lives for the good. Jesus’ compassion for others was easy to see in the pages of the Gospels. As He went from place to place, from town to town, He was not only meeting the spiritual needs of people, but He was compassionate for their physical needs as well. He often healed the sick, gave comfort to the poor and provided for the physical nourishment and needs of thousands – as was evident in some of His miracles. COLOSIANS 3:12 says “Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Nursing is not an easy vocation – there are often many demands on your time, long hours, challenging workloads, and discouragement in the face of difficult conditions and work environments. But Jesus, knowing the struggles you face provides encouragement through His word. GALATIANS 6:9 says: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.” There is a reward for you, for those who persevere – for HEBREWS 6:10 tells us “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
The story I’m drawn to most as I reflect on who, within the pages of the Bible, mirrors a heart of tenderness, a heart of compassion, is the Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37: reading that story we learn of a man who went from Jerusalem to Jericho and on the way robbers stripped him, beat him, and left him for dead. As the story points out, there were several people who saw the man lying there, but only one person who stopped and helped – only one person to showed compassion – who provided care / who took the time to nurse him. The Bible says “When the Samaritan saw him, he felt sorry for the man, went to him, and cleaned and bandaged his wounds. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” In the last two verses (verses 36 & 37) we see Jesus’ heart and His instruction for each and everyone of us: 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” In other words, go and imitate his example!
As Nurses, LPNs and Nurses’ Aides, you are the backbone / the pillar or foundation of support – whether it’s in a hospital, a nursing home, or a clinic. Without you, all the other professions (doctors, specialists, anesthesiologists, technicians wouldn’t be able to do their work to help and to heal patients.
Every day Nurses, LPNS and Nurses Aides:
• Observe and record patient behavior
• Perform physical exams and diagnostic tests
• Collect patient health histories
• Counsel patients and their families
• Educate patients about treatments plans
• Administer medications, wound care and other treatment options
• Interpret patient information and make decisions about necessary actions.
• Consult with nurse supervisors and physicians to determine best treatment plans for patients
• Supervise the care of other healthcare professionals
• Conduct research to improve patient outcomes and processes
• Provide sponge baths, change bed pans, change bandages, dressings and catheters
• Bring ice water, fresh pillows and warm blankets
• Ensure patients’ meals are delivered on time
These are only a few of the many tasks you carry out each day – all to the best of your ability and with the compassion reflecting the heart of God.
In a very difficult and demanding vocation, I’m sure there are times when you feel weak or discouraged after a difficult shift. In those moments, I pray you find strength through the solid truths about yourself and your calling that is found in God’s word.
Tonight, I have five (5) biblical truths to encourage you to persevere in your career and calling:
1. Remember where your strength comes from
PHILIPIANS 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Nursing is hard, it’s complex dealing with the emotions, the physical needs and the medical aspects of each patient. You will never know all the answers, catch every problem, or get every single thing right – for no one is perfect; but you can rely on the one who is perfect – Jesus Christ. You can pray to hear His voice as you go about your day and agree to trust Him to supply you with the resolve needed to do your job well.
2. Remember why you’re doing what you do
COLOSSIANS 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters
As Christians every move we make and every action we perform directly represents who we are in Christ. So everything you do should be done unto Him, in His honor, and for the advancing of His kingdom. For what you do matters – whether it’s washing someone who is bed ridden, holding a frightened senior’s hand, preparing medications, or even charting – you’re doing it for the Lord. You are serving His people.
3. Remember that God has overcome fear
PSALM 118:6 (first portion) The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
It’s easy to become fearful in the frightening world of healthcare. There are so many unknowns, so many things that can go wrong. But for the Lord Jesus Christ, there are no unknowns. He knows what assignment you will receive, how each of your patients will react, and what the outcomes will be. He holds it all in the palm of His hand, and as you trust in Him, He will guide you. When you rest in the shadow of the almighty, He will give you peace, not fear.
4. Remember that God has you where He wants you for a reason
PROVERBS 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
ROMANS 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
It’s easy to get frustrated at times – to become discouraged, and in those instances it’s important to hold tightly to the calling God placed in your heart in the beginning. Whatever the situation, you can always trust that Jesus has control of your destiny. He will open doors and close others, He will guide you to new places – if and when it is His will, but He will always provide you with what you need for where you are. For his purposes are always fulfilled where he has placed you – even when you cannot see. You just have to trust that He is working it all towards your good, in His perfect knowledge and time.
5. Remember who’s in control.
Nursing is a field where your actions and decisions are a huge deal, and in reality, they can sometimes mean life or death for someone. So it’s easy to become stressed out as you try to manage and control the environment you work in.
Doing the best you can, surrendering your performance into the Lord’s hands, and remembering that Jesus is in control can help ease that burden.
ISAIAH 55:8-9
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
ISAIAH 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I want to leave you with 2 EXAMPLES OF IMPACT in my life:
1) Mom dying in hospital – nurse came and comforted her – helped take away the fear of “letting go”. Talked Jesus and heaven to her.
2) Spinal cord surgery (me): nurses – mercy / hands & feet of Jesus: watched over me / turned me / picked me up / encouraged me – made me feel safe.
Lastly, I want to leave you with this prayer. (Prayer)
Famous Quotes:
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart”. – Galatians 6:9
“A nurse will always give us hope, an angel with a stethoscope.” By Carrie Latet
“The trained nurse has become one of the great blessings of humanity, taking a place beside the physician and the priest.” By William Osler
“Nurses are there when the last breath is taken and nurses are there when the first breath is taken. Although it is more enjoyable to celebrate the birth, it is just as important to comfort in death.” Christine Bell
You didn’t even know me, yet you treated me like family… and I’ll never forget that. Thank you.
The hospital cared for me like a patient but you cared for me like family. Thanks for everything.
There’s one thing that the doctor’s never saw on their charts and reports – the smile you put on my face every day. I thank you, not just for being a nurse, but for being the biggest support I could ever have had.
Our paths may have crossed for just a short moment, but I’ll be carrying the gratitude for a lifetime. Thank you for being the best nurse in the world.
