Growing Professionally

Volume 23, Number 4 Fall 2006

Rx for Compassion Fatigue by Fran McHolm
Do you (or a colleague) seem overly stressed about work? Are you constantly fatigued, critical or depressed? You may be suffering from compassion fatigue. Find out how God offers help. Symptoms and prescriptions are described in sidebar material. 2.5 contact hours of CE credit available with this article.

Magnet Recognition: The Rush Experience by Beverly Hancock
What's it like to be a Magnet Coordinator? For this nurse, it is upholding biblical values of excellence. Learn how Rush University Medical Center achieved and maintains Magnet status. The 14 Forces of Magnetism and Essentials are included in a sidebar materials.

Magnet Nursing and Kingdom Standards by Robyn K. Bullock
If the Forces of Magnetism seem familiar, maybe it's because they parallel principles Jesus taught. Bullock compares the Forces of Magnet Nursing and The Kingdom of God.

Principles for a Healthy Work Environment by Judith Allen Shelly
How can Christian nurses respond when the milieu at work is fractious and unhealthy? Shelly outlines the NOA Principles and Elements of a Healthful Practice/Work Environment, using questions and biblical references for assessment.

TV Nurses Often Hurt More than Heal by Hila J. Spear
Media portrayals of nursing typically are inadequate at best and at worst, degrading. Are Christian nurses called to speak out for change? Spear offers suggestions for action.

When It's Time to Leave by Nancy Andrews
Is there a time to leave a long-term job? Andrews shares her journey and what she discovered along the way. The author includes points for processing if you are thinking about a job change.

No More Coasting by Norma Singer
Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work? One nurses' story of being moved out of her comfort zone into a new nursing situation where coasting was not possible.

Nursing Cameos: Stories of Calling, Compassion & Care

Healthcare: One Body, Many Parts Kimberly Wilkes
Wilkes, a recent nursing graduate, recounts her response to a physician's put down. She asks, "If all healthcare workers were physicians, where would the nursing judgment be?".

Whose Outcome Is It? Debra Gifford
Gifford's account of a memorable patient caused her to question her control over the lives of her patients. She states, "Everything happens in God's timing, not ours".

The Other Side of the Bed Corey Shatwon Roman
A senior nursing student finds herself a patient following a car accident. She learns about patient rights and care-giving from the other side of the bed.

The Day Max Died Hannah Castillo and Catherine Wilson Cox
Castillo recalls her first experience with the death of a patient.

Words that Heal Sharon Aka
Affirming others offers words that heal. Aka encourages nurses to affirm one another through their words and their actions.

Missions
After Katrina Nurses Take Action by Judith Allen Shelly
What's it like to nurse in a disaster area? God called Shelly to be his hands and feet in Biloxi, Mississippi. Learn what to expect if you go and what to take with you.

Editorial
Called to Excellence by Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner
This editorial challenges Christian nurses to enthusiastically put themselves into the task of nursing. "Since we work for the Lord, the standards of our workmanship are to be the best possible" (p. 1). God tells us his standards in Scripture (Micah 6:8, Matthew 22:37-40, etc). In addition, ANA also has developed 15 Standards of Nursing Practice and Professional Performance to help us. Excellence comes when one is working to meet standards in both areas.

Christian Ethics
Encountering Discrimination by Susan Anthony Salladay
In this installment of the Christian Ethics column, Salladay helps nurses respond gracefully and tactfully to situations that can be described as discriminating.

Called to Teach
Can We Pray with Students? by Sandra Jamison
Jamison's Called to Teach column offers helpful insight for educators of the value, responsibility and sensitivity of knowing when to pray with a student.

Practicing
"You're Welcome" by Sally J. Walker
In this Practicing column, Walker learns a valuable lesson from a patient about the worth and work of nurses

FAQs in Spiritual Care
Time for Spiritual Care? by Mary T. Sweat
Sweat's FAQs in Spiritual Care column challenges nurses to consider the quality and quantity of time spent providing spiritual care. She states, "It may be that spiritual care does not need to take a lot of time,").