When we think of nursing, perhaps care of the sick comes immediately to thought. Christian Science healing, however, is meant to cure sin as well as sickness, to address materialism in our own thought even as we care for the patient. This outlook opens up an interesting and important dimension —nursing as an opportunity for overcoming sin, and so bringing peace into our lives as well as providing a better mental environment for the patient.
To do justice to the responsibility of Christian Science nursing, the nurse must do justice to the requirements Mrs. Eddy includes in the Manual of The Mother Church.
Understanding the mission of Christian Science makes clear why Mrs. Eddy felt led to set the following high standards for nursing. She says in the Manual that a 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." Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 31. Being established in the Church Manual, nursing exists as an activity of the Church and, as such, has a permanent role in its ministry to humanity.
