Nurses as Christian Health Providers

Importantly, a major part of being a Christian nurse is to respect the background and culture of others while applying Christian ideals.

Though avoiding alienating others is part of the balance, nurses can still integrate their faith into their practice in many ways. For example:

• Nurses who provide physical patient care can also provide spiritual care . They can apply prayer when providing care to individuals, whether they are members of the same faith, or not. Further, they should share their faith through action. A demeanor of patience and kindness, and sympathy and understanding to those experiencing fear, pain, loss, and anxiety are a way a nurse can apply Christianity to the profession.

• Nurses can use their role in healthcare as an opportunity to minister to fellow nurses and those inquiring about their faith. By sharing the message of their Christian beliefs with others, nurses can promote healing physically and spiritually. Nurses who travel and encounter other cultures can use a dialogue about other faiths as a vessel for sharing as well.

• Christian nurses can embrace holistic care approaches in their practice, which are of increasing popularity. Holistic healthcare supports the notion that sound mind, body, and spirit are necessary for overall health and wellbeing.

• Nurses can also contribute by conducting research that supports the role of Christian values and leadership in healthcare. An increase of publications that ties spirituality and science can encourage others in the healthcare community to embrace the merit of Christianity's contribution to the nursing profession.

• Nurses can also contribute to this dialogue by joining organizations like the FCN; engaging with fellow Christian nurses can help strengthen the presence of faithful leaders in the healthcare community.