Many people may wonder how Christian Science nursing is different from traditional nursing. Here are some thoughts prepared by the Nursing Activities Division of the Clerk 's Office of The Mother Church.
For nearly a hundred years Christian Science nurses have provided compassionate, skillful, capable nursing care for many individuals relying on Christian Science for healing. Since Christian Science treatment is wholly spiritual and does not involve physical diagnoses or medical means to promote healing, some may wonder what Christian Science nurses actually do. After all, how can a nurse properly care for someone without such knowledge?
The experience of a Christian Scientist mother illustrates a fundamental point in Christian Science nursing.
While picking up some papers at home, the mother was suddenly seized with an intense pain in her back. She cried out for help. At once her eleven-year-old daughter came to her. When she told her daughter that she couldn't move, the girl responded kindly, "Yes, you can." Her quiet assurance and calm trust became a beacon for the mother when the pain, urgency, and panic seemed so overwhelming. A Christian Science practitioner was called for metaphysical treatment. During the next several days the daughter cared for her mother. When the mother was unable to move her arms or legs, she was comforted by her daughter's sweet assurance, "That's all right. We'll do that later." Her caring was buoyant with hope, compassion, patience, and unflinching faith. Shortly, all pain and discomfort left and the mother was completely healed.
In relating this experience, the Christian Scientist vividly recalled the tender way her daughter cared for her. Whether smoothing a pillow, preparing a meal, helping her to dress — "everything she did was an expression of love."
This kind of pure, affectionate care is at the heart of Christian Science nursing. It could be described as the unction of Love in the nursing work.
Unction often refers to the act of anointing, as with an ointment or oil. This has spiritual significance in Christian Science. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, describes oil in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures as "consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration." Christian Science nurses are devoted to applying these divine qualities to all they do for their patients. Their special commitment to this spiritual ministering takes their work beyond the traditional role of "care-giving" into the demonstration of divine Love as the source and giver of all care.
Examples of God's mothering, nurturing care for His creation are found throughout the Old and New Testaments. The New English Bible describes God's tender promise in the book of Jeremiah: "I have dearly loved you from of old, and still I maintain my unfailing care for you." Such unfailing care was expressed by Christ Jesus throughout his healing ministry. Through parable and practice he urged obedience to the divine command "That ye love one another; as I have loved you." Christian Science nurses strive to practice their vocation from this spiritual basis.
Mrs. Eddy wrote a By-Law in the Manual of The Mother Church that succinctly summarizes the requirements for the Christian Science nurse:
A member of The Mother Church who represents himself or herself as a Christian Science nurse shall be one who has a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice, who thoroughly understands the practical wisdom necessary in a sick room, and who can take proper care of the sick (Art. VIII, Sect. 31).
It's significant that the By-Law identifies membership in The Mother Church and Christian Science practice first in its list of requirements. This commitment to Christ-healing is central to Christian Science nursing and underlies everything else in the work.
Sometimes, questions about the ethics of Christian Science nursing arise. The moral obligations and rules that govern the practice of Christian Science must be adhered to faithfully.
This commitment precedes but does not supersede caring for the patient's essential needs, including all those related to cleanliness and comfort, normal activity, preparing meals, and washing and covering wounds.
Christian Science nurses don't attempt to control or manage the personal or financial affairs of their patients. Neither do they offer personal views or opinions about patients' circumstances or conditions.
While providing practical assistance to those who are seeking spiritual healing through prayer, Christian Science nurses are very careful not to become absorbed in or anxious about physical conditions or symptoms. No attempt is made to mix material methods or human aid techniques (such as massaging or manipulation) with the purely spiritual method of Christian Science treatment and healing.
The Christian Science nurse turns constantly to God for inspiration and discernment on how best to meet the individual needs of each patient. This demands steadfast discipline of thought, vigilant prayer, patience, and humility.
In all cases, a nurse's work depends on prayer. The nurse is diligently keeping his or her thoughts filled with the spiritual truths of God and man that underlie all demonstration in Christian Science. The nurse's spiritualized thought and gentle care are like a light for the patient, never interfering with the specific metaphysical treatment being given by a Christian Science practitioner but always supporting the healing work.
Sometimes the question of financial compensation comes up. What is an appropriate fee for a Christian Science nurse? This is a question that each nurse resolves individually. One nurse described her feelings on this subject in a way that most Christian Science nurses would surely agree with. "For me, compensation isn't a matter of money but of spiritual riches. Why am I nursing? Because this is how God has led me to express His care in my daily life." So, while Christian Science nurses should always be adequately compensated for their work, monetary remuneration is never the motive for following this vocation. Christian Science nurses endeavor to minister to the sick with the same qualities of compassion and spiritual vision that were demonstrated by Christ Jesus. They look to God, divine Love, to supply the intelligence, intuition, inspiration, skill, and strength for each nursing need.
Those who are cherishing the nature of God's gracious Love and yearning to demonstrate His care for others are invited to write for more information about Christian Science nursing.
The First Church of Christ,
Scientist
Nursing Activities, A-174
175 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you:
continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments,
ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept
my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you,
that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy
might be full. This is my commandment,
That ye love one another, as I have loved you. . . .
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:9-12, 14
