Caring: How Nurses Impact The Lives Of Patients

Nurses impact the lives of the patients, family, caregivers, co-workers, doctors, clergy members they come in contact with daily. The life that the typical nurse is most intentional about impacting is that of her client. It is true that nursing houses a scientific method (the nursing process). In it the nurse utilizes all of her knowledge to assess her patient’s situation and deem the correct nursing intervention for this patient. This is the core of nursing, however, there is another element to nursing and it involves the matters of the patient’s heart. This encourages the nurse to enter into the hearts of her patients or patient populations where the love resides. Many patients struggle when the thoughts of their minds cannot connect to

1 John 3:17-18 states, “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but indeed and in truth. (English Standard Version).” God, through his word, commands us to care for others. Nurses have the opportunity to care for others every day that they work. Caring as an art in nursing refers to the ability that nurses have to positively affect each patient encounter by putting the patient’s needs above their own. Patient care is a vital part of a nurse's role due to the responsibility nurses have to assist patients in their daily needs, which in most cases they are not capable of doing by themselves. However, the simple art of caring is experienced and very much appreciated when shared with patients, their families, and co-workers on the job. Caring as an art in nursing also means that as nurses, we are giving the very best effort and our time to alleviate our patient's suffering. Caring is not only for the patients on our jobs, but most of the time for those in our personal lives that are in need of help as well. It might be our own families and

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:23, English Standard Version).” As a Christian one should also take this responsibility seriously while at work, at home, or even out in the community. Christ calls us to care for others not only in their time of need but we should be a listening ear, a helping hand, or words of wisdom for our fellow man. The Bible teaches that as Christians we should care as God cares. Philippians 2:4-5 states, “ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus (English Standard Version).” This means being considerate of the feelings, time, belonging and the spirit of others. For example if someone has a different view on an issue one should not talk down about the other person stance. As a Christian, one should always respect others and their stance. Colossians 4:6 states, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (English Standard Version).” This ensure that both parties can have a civilized conversation that does not end in