Outcomes of Christian Nursing
Volume 21, Number 2 Spring 2004

Article Summaries

Outcomes of Christian Nursing by Judy Shelly
Editorial - In Shelly's closing editorial as JCN editor, she considers what makes Christian nursing different from other kinds of nursing. Christian nursing includes a three-fold ministry: excellent physical care, psychosocial support and spiritual care. (Healing Encounters in the Gospels and Acts)

Second Chance: Seizing a Sacred Moment by Jan Wilson
Wilson experiences emotional turbulence while caring for an advanced AIDS patient. Initially wanting to run, trust is eventually established as God provides opportunities for conversation. Wilson misses an opportunity to address Tony's spiritual needs, but resolves to do better next time. She soon finds another opportunity. (Discussion Questions)

The Baptism of Grady Flynn by Susan Price Lofton
Lofton tells of her most challenging patient-ever. When Lofton begin talking with Grady Flynn, rather than to him, an unlikely alliance is formed between patient and nurse. Eventually Grady asks to be baptized. Lofton learns an important lesson about patient autonomy and decision-making.

How Are We Doing? Measuring the Effectiveness of Parish Nursing by Alvene Rethemeyer and Barbara A Wehling
Rethemeyer and Wehling describe a tool they developed to measure parish nursing outcomes. After testing, the questionnaire was used to survey 760 congregants in churches with parish nurses in the greater St. Louis area. Results showed numerous positive outcomes of parish nurse services. (http://ipnrc.parishnurses.org)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act by Sharon Becker (sidebar)
Becker applies HIPAA to parish nursing providing a clear, concise overview.

How Well Do Parish Nurses Document? by William (Rick) Parker
Parish nurses need to document to gain congregation support, evaluate the program and plan for the future. Survey results suggest that parish nurses are providing services and documenting the results. (Parish Nurse Questionnaire)

Church Nurse: Building on a Proud Tradition by Barbara Bihm
The McFarland Institute implemented a pilot study on parish/church nursing, and support structures are addressed.

Who Are Those Women in White? (sidebar)
Sidebar information regarding the history of church nurses in the African-American church. (http://www.nationalbaptist.com/aux_subsidiary/usher.htm)

Journey into Hope: A Therapeutic Relationship by Jean T. Walker
Walker recounts her interactions with her client Alice. In therapy they explore issues and Alice improves. Walker and Alice experience recent loss providing the basis for spiritual conversations. Mutual grief creates a bond that allows Walker and Alice to grow and heal emotionally.

Do Unto Others . . . When You'd Rather Not by Madelaine Louise Coates
Coates tells of a difficult patient at a Canadian veteran's facility. Placed in a situation where she could practice her belief of "Do to others as you would have them do to you," Coates recognizes her duality. Her resulting changed attitude leads to a softened response from her patient. Together they released some of their ugliness and moved toward healing.

Does Spiritual Care Really Help? A Study of Patient Perceptions by Charlotte Stephenson and Kaye Wilson
Stephenson and Wilson provide research to describe client's experiences of receiving spiritual care in the acute care setting. Three stages are established: occasion, observation and initiation of spiritual care. Patient interviews support that receiving spiritual care is a positive experience for clients and that spiritual care is an important part of providing comprehensive nursing care.

Finding Comfort in Death by Ashleigh Carter Whitlow
Whitlow finds herself in the same situation as her patient's family-facing the death of a loved one. Whitlow drives five hours to reach her dying father. This experience provides the catalyst to begin praying with patients and their families.

I See Glory! by Sue Henley
As a young nurse, Henley is drawn to an elderly patient. Henley wants to make sure that Miss Sally does not die alone. One night she witnesses Miss Sally sit up in bed, hands stretched toward heaven-soaring toward glory.

Unexpected Outcomes by Scott DeBoer
On a family outing, DeBoer and his family come on the scene of a house fire. DeBoer, a flight nurse, rushes to respond while his family remains in the car and prays. Later they learn that members of their parish had previously been praying for and befriending the victims of the fire. They realize they were also praying at the time of their deaths.

Responding to God's Call: Outcomes of Faith by Yvonne Delayon McKoy
McKoy shares her calling to nursing--beginning with her Mother's belief McKoy would one day be a nurse. She also shares guideposts for remaining faithful to God in today's health care system.

Beatitudes for Nurses by Diane Stegmeir
Blessings written specifically for nurses.

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