7. What preparation do I need to become a missionary nurse?
That depends on what kind of nursing you will be doing and the country to which you will be going. Nursing practice in other countries is probably regulated by licensure. You will need to learn what is necessary to practice nursing in that country and follow the regulations of your host country. Just as we do not allow nurses from other countries to come to the U.S. to practice without assessing their competence, so we should also be prepared to meet the requirements for nursing practice in our host countries. A list of members of the International Council of Nursing and their addresses can be found at www.icn.ch.
If you are going on a short-term mission project, the organization planning the project should make sure that the host country governing bodies gives approval for professional practice to the nursing participants in the project. It is your responsibility as a professional nurse to inquire about what licensure arrangements has been made with the host country and if there are any limitations on your practice in the host country.
Missionary nurses represent Jesus as they practice nursing and as His ambassador we should seek to be knowledgeable and skillful in our nursing practice. Our nursing practice needs to be the best that we can offer. We should not take on roles and responsibilities for which we have not been prepared. Remember that the people we serve are image bearers of God and deserve our best. A good rule of thumb is that if you are not prepared to undertake a procedure in your home country, you should not attempt it in a mission setting.
A solid spiritual foundation cannot be overemphasized. As a missionary nurse engages others in a dialogue about their relationship with God, it is important that his/her relationship is on solid ground. Prayer, the study of the bible and fellowship with fellow Christians is prerequisite for successful ministry and overcoming adversity that is related to missionary nursing.
