SERVING AS THE CHURCH NURSE

I am a nurse. I am also a Christian, and have found the best thing I can do for my patients is to pray with them and for them, which I do for every patient. Now I am retired.

I wasn’t sure how I would like retirement since my entire adult life has been as a nurse. My pastor, knowing my health is good and that I like to be helpful where I can, asked if I would become our church’s nurse. For the last three years, I have loved my new position. I don’t get paid, yet I feel more fulfillment than I ever did as an RN in a doctor’s office.

Each week, I visit church members in the hospital to pray and just be there for the patients and their families as they walk through a difficult time. I also visit shut-ins and anyone from the church who have a long-term illness. Each week, I visit a few families with children who are very sick. Usually, I just sit with the child, while the parents take some much-needed time away to get some coffee or have a date night.

Each Sunday, I spend time before and after church in my “nurse’s office” near the sanctuary, where I give free blood pressure readings and other simple medical tasks so people don’t have to pay to visit their doctor or a lab.

My work is pretty simple. But I feel I’m using my skills to help others, many of whom are in need. I don’t see it as being anything major for the kingdom of God, but people seem to appreciate it and I’m glad I can be helpful.