I have been asked to discuss ways in which the graduate nurse can participate in soul winning in the sanitarium.
Patients often seem to be unpromising prospects. Some of them are a challenge to us, and often our patience and ingenuity are tried. But each one, the unpromising as well as the others, has been allowed to come to us in God's providence. If that is so, then the difficult patient is as needy of our very best as the one less difficult, and we should try to have something to give to all. As graduate nurses, we have no right to conclude that anyone who is under our care is not worth the very best that we can give, regardless of how trying at a given moment that person may be.
"He [the faithful worker] prays and works, watching for souls as one that must give an account, knowing that the souls whom God brings in contact with truth and righteousness are worth saving."—Counsels on Health, p. 250.
What is the source from which our help to others will count for permanence and real value? It comes only from a sanctified life, accompanied by much prayer. When our own life, as it can, begins to share and reach out, it will bring us satisfaction as well as an ever-increasing urge to continue to help others.
We must be careful that our influence will not undo the good others may do. One of the patients who was having graduate nursing, made provision to allow her graduate nurse to attend services, and the nurse came back in a shorter time than the patient expected her.
"You are back early. Is church over?"
"I didn't stay, because they were having foot washing and I had a hole in my stocking."
The patient had a very vague idea of what this service meant. Fortunately the housekeeper happened to learn of the experience. She had had a lovely relation with the patient, and when she came in the next day, said, "Will you do a favor for me?" The patient was somewhat indebted to her for some little courtesies, so she said, "Yes." The housekeeper turned to the chapter in Desire of Ages on foot washing and communion service, and said, "I wish you would read this chapter. I am sure it would have a deeper meaning and significance for you."
The patient read it, and was greatly refreshed and inspired, and commented to our Bible instructor on a later occasion. That person, regardless of what status she holds, who has a way of smoothing out a complicated situation, has a real talent; and it is something we can all afford to cultivate. Sometimes impatience or lack of judgment can be obviated if we will try to sense opportunities to help others. One day recently I was answering registry calls, a special nurse came to me and said, "Is there somebody who can relieve my case beginning tomorrow?
I am with Mr. ________ of the Chinese Embassy.
I am anxious that this nurse will be someone really interested in spiritual things, because my patient has indicated an appreciation in that direction."
That interested me, and I asked, "What contacts have you had with your patient that have been encouraging?" I learned that the patient had enjoyed going to the vesper services, and was reading our books. Both the graduate nurse and the student nurses had sensed a receptiveness on the part of the Chinese man. His vocabulary was somewhat limited, and this nurse saw the need for explaining the real values of Christianity in a simple way, in order that the man could understand.
She said, "I have to go back to the room, for about eight o'clock he will be waiting for Me, as I tell him Bible stories every night. I tell them to him about as I would to a junior, because his English vocabulary is limited. He said to me just a few minutes ago, 'Please tell me more of the Jesus stories.'"
This warmed my heart immensely. "Please tell me more of the Jesus stories." Every patient should somehow desire to hear more of the Jesus stories. There are times when a graduate nurse can handle questions and conversation herself, and there are times when we need to refer the patient to a special worker, such as the Bible instructor or the chaplain. Judgment must be displayed in these situations.
There is a tendency on the part of some to feel that the status of the graduate nurse has changed as compared with the student nurse. Some feel restraint, and there is a tendency toward letting down. But anything we can do to build up our patients spiritually and to encourage them is certainly in order.
Often when a graduate nurse happens to be released Friday, she will come back on Sabbath morning to fix up her patient and make him comfortable. The floor service is limited on Sabbaths, and the patient must go on general duty. She does not submit any bill, but simply says to the patient, "I just wanted to know that everything is going along nicely, and that you are comfortable. As you know, our program today is a little different." This leaves a very cordial feeling, calls attention to the Sabbath as being a special day, and contributes to missionary-mindedness as far as the graduate nurse is concerned.
Our lives and example may be of help to the student nurses. Students look with a degree of anticipation and admiration toward the graduate nurse, and if as graduates we do not create the right atmosphere, or do not manifest self-control and those qualities of Christian graces, we are not a source of inspiration to them. As Elder Hare said, "Let us tempt those with whom we work to do good." The example of a consecrated, efficient nurse is a means of encouraging others to do likewise.
There are graduate nurses who are found taking their patients to vespers and other services, provided the patient is able to go, and there are others who seldom plan for this. Nurses who seek such opportunities and follow through, may later be able to give Bible studies. Some patients will respond to the personal invitation. We all realize that we lack a great deal as far as being able to meet all the situations that come up, and yet we do want to row under it.
We must not neglect to recognize that there are skills in soul winning, and that these skills, along with consecration and prayer, will help us as graduate nurses to share with others in this good work. We, too, will experience a personal growth and satisfaction as we seek to help others reach a fuller life here and in the world to come.
