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"Why
does nursing have to be so hard? At least I used
to feel appreciated, but not any more! I don't know how
much longer I can do this," Tracey mourned as she slid into
the passenger seat to ride home from work with Jill. She
had been working in pediatrics for about a year. After a
hectic shift, an angry mother had berated Tracey in front
of the other staff gathering for report.
Tracey
related the day's events to Jill, then continued, "Her complaints
were legitimate, but there wasn't anything I could do about
them. Jill, where do you find the strength to keep going?"
Where
do we find the strength to keep going in nursing? Perhaps
a glimpse at the life of the apostle Paul can provide a
biblical reality check. In his second letter to the church
in Corinth, Paul wrote, "Therefore, since it is by God's
mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose
heart" (2 Cor 4:1). "We are afflicted in every way, but
not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted,
but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always
carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life
of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies" (2 Cor
4:8-10). Now that's a bad day! Then after providing more
details, he continues, "For the love of Christ urges us
on" (2 Cor 5:14). That's the key, but how does it happen?
Most
of us need some form of reassurance from others that we
are doing a good job. Praise from our patients, colleagues
and supervisors keeps us going. But in today's health care
scene, we don't often receive that affirmation. We need
to draw from a deeper source.
I recently
presented a paper that drew angry reactions from several
in the audience. The evaluations were mixed: some people
hated the presentation and others loved it. I went into
a tailspin of self-doubt, wondering if I really had anything
important to say in the first place. Then I read 1 John
4:1-6 in my personal devotions, "They are from the world;
therefore what they say is from the world, and the world
listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens
to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us.
From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of
error" (1 Jn 4:5-6). As I replayed the painful scene in
my mind, I realized that my opponents were not criticizing
me but the words of Jesus in my presentation.
As the
environments in which we work become increasingly secular,
economically driven and impersonal, we can expect conflict
and even persecution. Reading the Bible and turning to God
in prayer function as a reality check. We are in nursing
because the love of God urges us on-not for the approval
and platitudes of others. We do need other Christians, though,
to help us realistically assess our struggles and deal with
them appropriately, as well as to keep us accountable. The
key to survival in nursing today (as always) is keeping
our eyes on Jesus. Let's look at some practical ways to
do that.
First,
we need to maintain a regular devotional life. That means
spending time daily in Bible reading and prayer. Find a
time that works for you. Getting up early to start the day
with the Lord provides a period with few distractions, but
others prefer to end the day with devotions. Still others
manage to find a quiet place at lunch to read and pray.
Whatever you do, make it a habit. That time will become
a lifeline.
Second,
find-or start-a nurses' fellowship group. It may begin with
just one other person. These will be nurses with whom you
can unload your burdens, share your dreams, pray, study
the Bible and stay accountable. Although these groups usually
meet either bi-weekly or monthly, you can always call someone
in the group to talk and pray together when the going gets
tough. You may want to attend, or even plan, a continuing
education event to deal with some of the common struggles
you face.
Finally,
stay connected to the larger body of Christ. While weekend
work schedules may make regular church attendance difficult,
look for creative ways to stay involved. Attend midweek
or evening services if you can't get there on Sunday mornings.
Join a small group, or volunteer to serve in a ministry.
Consider attending a Nurses Christian Fellowship( summer
conference, going on a short-term missions trip or volunteering
in a Christian clinic or homeless shelter.
God
knows that we need reassurance and encouragement. He made
us that way. The key is to find it in the right places-from
the Word of God, from his Spirit and from God's people.
As we find our identity in Christ, we will increasingly
sense the love of God urging us on, giving us the strength
to keep going in nursing.--JAS
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