Nursing, Faith, and Missions: A Vocation of Love

What if I said that being a Christian with a love for missions made me a better and more successful nurse? Most would probably disagree, saying that one 's personal belief and views should not mix with his or her job in the nursing field. In some ways this may be true, but I still disagree. For someone like me, the "job" as a nurse is actually fueled by love for people and their well being, making it a vocation. When I worked as a CNA I noticed most of my peers made comments like, "I can 't wait to be a nurse so I can stop wiping butts." I never felt that way, I loved caring for people, leaving my shift with cleaner, happier and more comfortable patients than when I arrived. That gave me joy, going above and beyond for another person with no immediate personal gain. When I interviewed Torie Dailey, RN-BSN at Mayo Clinic she agreed that it was patience and love for people that made her so successful and how she continues to grow more successful! She shared her story of dealing with a patient of another race, and how her kindness and patience healed a wound that was not just physical with that patient. The patient

I feel as if God has called me to nursing, and that I should give it nothing less than one hundred percent. This attitude will be combined with my experience, and future experience, with missions and travel. Such events in my life give me experience with culture and other ways of life and opposing views. This makes me flexible and adaptable, which is crucial in a high stress environment like the nursing field. Having understanding makes me willing to meet others where they are at, I do not need them to validate my beliefs. Rather, my beliefs should compel me to have love, compassion and value for others wellbeing. I truly believe if one can obtain all of these things, he or she can be at the top of their