Gò0dNews for Students
How To Be a Christian Nurse in A Secular World by Natalie Emert
I
stumbled upon my calling to be a nurse when I was a
a successful nurse but also how to incorporate my faith in
sophomore in high school. I knew from the second God called
everything I do.
me into nursing that this calling would be more than just a
I hope to carry this knowledge with me as I progress
career. Nursing would enable me to have a profound impact
through my career. I hope it will enable me to have a positive
on others by being an example of God’s love, loving on all of
impact on others. There are several ways in which I can
my patients as God would. Working as a nurse, you encounter
accomplish this, both with my patients and my coworkers. With
people during the best and worst times of their lives. You see
my patients, this can mean asking them if they have a certain
families grieving over the loss of their loved ones. You see patients receiving life-altering diagnoses. You see patients lose their ability to perform tasks they once performed without a second thought. You see parents welcome their first-born child, and you also see parents mourning the unexpected loss of their newborn. All of these experiences provide a unique opportunity to witness to others, whether that be by rejoicing in times of jubilance or providing a comforting touch in times of immense sorrow. To care for our patients during these difficult or exciting times, we must care for them holistically (meaning physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and most importantly, spiritually). Taking care of our patients’ spiritual needs can sometimes take a back-burner position amongst all of their physical needs; however, providing spiritual care can be just as important as addressing physical
religion or belief system that they follow. If they say no, this is
concerns. This concept has been heavily addressed during my
an opportunity where I can ask them if they are interested in
time in the nursing program at Lee University. Lee ensures
learning about God or if they would like me to pray for them.
that all their students have the skills and resources needed
Additionally, I can witness to my patients by ensuring I am not
to properly address our patients’ spiritual needs. Through
only providing the best care I can but also by treating them as
studying at Lee, I have learned how to appropriately ask my
human beings instead of yet another task on my ever-growing
patients if I can pray with them or for them. This skill did not
to-do list. In addition to my patients, I can witness to my
come naturally to me, but it is extremely important and can
coworkers by consistently showing up to work with a positive
provide much-needed comfort for my patients. However, this
and encouraging attitude. While this may not always be easy,
is a skill that may not be adequately addressed at other secular
spending time in the Word and praying can help to ensure that
universities. Had I not attended Lee University, I may not have
I show up to work with a friendly smile on my face. These are
had the same opportunity to grow in my relationship with God
just a few of the ways that I hope to put all that I have learned
and become more comfortable sharing my faith with others.
during my time at Lee University into everyday practice.
I am grateful I get the opportunity to learn in an environment that places the focus on God and teaches me to not only be
46 // March 2022
About The Author
Since my faith is one of the biggest reasons that I chose nursing, Natalie Emert is originally from Knoxville, TN, and is a junior nursing student at Lee University School of Nursing. She has a passion for helping others and hopes to work in the NICU once she graduates college next May.
