Qualities for Christian Science Nurses

Ethics 101.2

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSING ARTS

Opening ReadingsLuke 10:25-37I Thes 2:7 (we)Church Manual, Article 8, Section 31,

p.49:7-16S&H 395:17-20

Aids in Sickness

Opposite the marginal heading “Aids in sickness” in Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes, “An ill-tempered, complaining or deceitful person should not be a nurse. The nurse should be cheerful, orderly, punctual, patient, full of faith,--receptive to Truth and Love” p. 395.

In these few words, our Leader has defined the mental qualities that would attempt to rob you of the ability to help the sick, as well as those qualities which would prepare you to meet every challenge

Negative Traits to OvercomeThe dictionary has more meanings

for the word “temper” than the common one, “proneness to anger”

It also means “desired qualities of a substance,” “to make stronger, more resilient” and “calmness of mind”

An “ill-temper” implies a lack of these desirable traits

Harshness, criticism, prejudice cannot help you reflect Love’s care

Complaint• “Complaint is poverty” goes the well-known

phrase from Hymn 249 of the Christian Science Hymnal

• Complaint is a false state of thought which fails to recognize the presence of God, good

• It magnifies error, and belittles good—exactly the opposite of scientific practice

• It would urge you to find fault with your patients, your supervisors, and your care facility

• Do not allow this false trait to deprive you of your joy in doing good

Deceitful• Christian Scientists who have begun to

comprehend the mighty healing power of Truth are equally alert to the harmful effect of deceit, dishonesty

• A false sense of being deceitful—for example, of not carrying out your assigned duties when you are not being observed—would try to blot out your recognition of Truth’s presence thus weakened, your confidence in your own ability to do and say the right thing at the right time would be lacking.

Spiritual Qualities of ThoughtMrs. Eddy saw the need for overcoming these negative traits, and she gave us the sure weapons to overcome them

The positive Christlike qualities that follow in her discussions of “Aids in sickness” enable you to handle the negative traits.

CheerfulCheerfulness is the opposite of ill-

temper and complaintThe cheer you take into the patient’s

room has a healing effectThis cheer is not merely a smile put

on for the occasion, but the result of a deep confidence in the power of God to supply all good

This joyful confidence is not something you give to the patient, but is something you and the patient share as a gift of God

OrderlyYou will find that a large number of

your daily duties are a matter of demonstrating and maintaining order

These duties will never be tiresome or dull if you have learned to love orderliness as a quality of Principle

If orderliness is a quality of God, then it is natural for you, as God’s reflection, to express this order in everything that you do, and to take pleasure in expressing this quality

PunctualTruth is always where it is

needed, when it is neededThis characteristic availability is

humanly demonstrated in punctuality. Punctuality is also a demonstration of love—loving consideration for those who are waiting for you, as well as your love for the activity that you are about to do

PatientPatience is not complacent

acceptance of current conditionsIt is the ability to see thorough the

illusion of evil to the reality of good. Because patience has this vision it

neither becomes discouraged at what may appear as lack of progress

nor does it unwisely push others into a human activity which is beyond their present point of demonstration.

Full of Faith• Patience and faith are closely related

qualities of thought• It is faith which can see good when the

senses cannot• Because this “evidence of things not

seen” is all that you are really hearing or seeing, you can go about your duties calmly , with joy

• Armed with faith, you can enter the sickroom unimpressed by any barrage of sense testimony

• Neither pressured, frightened, or dismayed, you can leave your work at the end of the shift as refreshed as when you stated

Receptive to Truth and Love• All of these qualities serve to enhance your

receptivity to Truth and Love

• When lived daily, they dissolve mortal mind’s resistance to a present recognition of God’s perfect creation, a resistance to healing

• And as you overcome any resistance to healing in your own thought, you uplift and enlighten the thought of each of those around you

• As each worker at the care facility strives to do this, the healing atmosphere is quickened

• And you will find yourself increasing each day in your ability to carry out your nurses aide duties with a sense of confidence and joy

• Your progress in demonstrating Christian Science is a good way to measure your continuing contribution to the healing activity of your care facility

• Daily metaphysical work for yourself is an absolute necessity

• It serves to strengthen and defend you, to challenge your thought and help you grow

• Mrs. Eddy urged this daily duty upon Christian Scientists and she taught us how to fulfill this duty

• Consistent obedience to this duty will increase your ability to heal

As a nurse, you are constantly reaffirming your commitment to the healing work of Christian Science

Your actions must be the expression of God’s qualities

You can nurse, and true nursing is healing

Discussion Questions

What does the story of the “Good Samaritan” means to you in light of your work as a Christian Science nurse?

Key WordsHere are some key words to help you

begin your metaphysical study of this topic:

CheerfulOrderlyPunctualPatientFaithReceptive