One LPN's appreciation for Christian Science nursing

I met a male LPN the other evening (licensed practical nurse), which is always kind of a novelty, for two male 'nurses' to meet- it seems we're always out-numbered by women (don't worry- that's not a complaint!)

We discussed our somewhat similar lines of work- though there are a few commonalities as the long-term facility he worked at was started by nuns and is funded in part through the Catholic church (I still work as a Christian Science nurse in a care facility as I build up my public healing ministry). They still value the spiritual aspect of the care in his facility and feel it is vital. But from his perspective the bedside care gets pushed further and further out of the picture- eclipsed by technological machinery, record keeping and other job pressures.

As we stood holding our refreshments at the party we were at, he expressed his discouragement and concern for all the politics that go on- between legal, church and provincial and educational entities, plus personality struggles and reams of red tape.

He felt there was a loss of focus on the spiritual aspect of care- not the least of all being the over medicalization and over-drugging that he suspected goes on.

I shared with him that one of the most common healing occurrences I witness as a Christian Science nurse in facilities- where no medication is administered and patients are being prayed for by Christian Science practitioners- was the effective handling of pain. Over and over again I see it quickly and effectively eliminated through reliance on prayer and knowing that matter has no ultimate power over man who is wholly spiritual in nature. My friend said he did believe it- that prayer handles pain.

As we parted he was so appreciative to have learned about Christian Science nursing. It reassured him that at least in some facilities around the world the spiritual nature and identity of the patients was front and center as they were cared for.