God @ work...

God is moving in Florida nursing schools

"I love teaching nursing students that one of our greatest ministries is simply being present with others who need to know they are not alone," says Renee Lick, NCF Student Ministry Director. "NCF students around the country are learning that simply being present with another person is a reminder of God's abiding presence in times of illness, grief or difficulty."

Last week Renee traveled to south Florida to lead a workshop for area students and nurses on the Biblical principles of spiritual care and how to assess spiritual needs and respond with appropriate interventions. One attendee said the training session "re-empowered me to listen to the Spirit." A student reported, "This has renewed my strength and has given me the B12 shot to complete the program."

Bethany is a nursing student who is starting a new NCF chapter at Florida State University in Tallahassee. They just had their first Bible study and a potluck dinner that attracted 20 students who heard the gospel message and learned about opportunities to serve overseas. Praise God for Bethany's boldness in sharing her faith with her friends.

Pray for more NCF students and faculty who are excited about being part of God's mission at the University of South Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Edison State College and Florida State University. God's Spirit is moving at nursing schools in Florida!

Is there Traffic in your Backyard?

Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. "Sadly, health workers have not been trained to recognize the red flags that indicate when a patient is a victim of human trafficking," Nita Belles says and unpacks the issues in the article, Helping Human Trafficking Victims in our Backyard.

JCN Editor Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner adds, "I encourage you to read her moving exposé and realize the opportunity we have as nurses to be a part of rescuing trafficking victims." See Kathy's companion editorial, In My Backyard. Read more »

Bible Studies Examine What's Vital

Four new Bible studies for nursing students are now available online. The NCF series, "What's Vital?" has expanded to eight studies covering topics that integrate faith, nursing and spiritual care.

"An NCF faculty advisor called me and asked for Bible studies for her nursing students," said Bonnie Hann, NCF Campus Liaison. "She wanted all of her students to learn how following Jesus relates to what they are learning in nursing school."

After this request, Bonnie created eight Bible studies around issues important to nursing students. They are designed for individuals or for group discussion. Check out the new NCF Bible studies.

How to Help Patients Change

As a nurse, how do you help patients change their unhealthy behaviors?

"Telling people to change simply does not work," writes Luann Richardson in her article, Motivational Interviewing: Helping Patients Move Toward Change. "Unless we see the need or have a desire for change and take responsibility for changing, change is unlikely," she states.

Read more about Motivational Interviewing in this free article from the Journal of Christian Nursing, January–March 2012. CE credits are available.

Join NCF and receive JCN regularly as a member benefit — or subscribe to JCN.