Care giving has always been something that interests me and feels very natural to me. I don’t remember exactly when I first learned about Christian Science nursing, but somewhere along the way it became a calling that appealed to me. While I was attending a high school for Christian Scientists, my dorm’s housemother, a Christian Science nurse, answered many questions I had about Christian Science nursing and helped me connect with a local Christian Science nursing facility to begin volunteer work as part of my senior internship. I learned how to help make beds and was able to take part in activities and read with some of the patients.
One thing I immediately noticed was what a special environment a Christian Science nursing facility provides. The Christian Science nurses are so loving and encouraging to all of the patients. They often read with patients, sing hymns with them, share inspiration, or simply sit by their side, being a quiet presence in the room. Work as a Christian Science nurse can also include helping an individual with nourishment, mobility, bathing, and bandaging, but there’s much more to it than that.
This past summer I decided to take the next step by applying for training at a Christian Science nursing facility. One thing I was reminded of very early on in my training, and continue to hold at the forefront of my thought, is that this work is not just about what you do, but how you do it. Learning the practical steps of how to give care is vital for any nurse. The care I give as a Christian Science nurse must reflect God’s love for His children—it’s not just a series of human footsteps. It’s essential to “behold the perfect man” (Nellie B. Mace, Hymn 370, Christian Science Hymnal).
