The apostle Paul in 1Corinthians 9:22 said, "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." A nurse should accept this challenge as her own, and broaden her many avenues of ministry.
I like to compare my profession to a prism with its many facets. As we hold up a prism to the light and allow the white sunlight to radiate through it, the prism breaks up the light into its component colors. So it is with the nurse. She must receive the light of health and reflect it to those in the community who need it.
PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION.—In my comparison the facets of the prism represent various phases of public health education. First, a nurse must be an educator. Her foremost work is to teach the prevention of disease. Health principles, including diet, exercise, deep breathing, and posture should all be taught. These health principles are more important than some other phases of education, and should be taught from childhood on up through the years.
COUNSELING AND ADVISING.—The medicalmissionary-minded nurse should be friendly and make herself available so that people will feel free to come to her for advice. There are so many questions that young mothers want to ask regarding baby's bath, bed, bottles, and bumps. Other questions that take care and thought in answering are how to improvise in the home to give adequate care to the sick without the use of expensive equipment.
BEDSIDE CARE.—The duties that we usually associate with thoughts of the nurse are those of regular bedside care.
Because of her close association with her patients the nurse has excellent opportunities to minister to the soul as well as to the body. Realizing their needs more than others do, she can bring words of comfort through ministry of prayer. She feels the "pulse" of humanity as life and death take place, and can formulate a philosophy of life to help those who need it to understand better the problems of living.
As A SOCIAL WORKER.—In an emergency the nurse must always be ready to render first aid. When disaster strikes, she must disregard self and help those who need her.
The organizing and the teaching of classes in home nursing, nutrition, and first aid are very important. Classes may be formed for our own church groups such as juniors, young people, and seniors, or they may be taught to members of the community. This is frequently an opening wedge for teaching our message.
Opportunities for public speaking should always be accepted (no matter how much one's knees may tremble). This will give one a chance to speak against tobacco, liquor, and dope and to tell of the advantages of clean living. Short health talks in conjunction with evangelistic services have proved to be of help and of interest to the general public.
DEMONSTRATION TECHNIQUES.—Nothing is better for believing than seeing. When we can actually see how to do a thing, we remember it much easier. Demonstration techniques are very helpful in showing how to make a bed with a patient in it, how to give hot fomentations, and other hydrotherapy procedures.
A nurse may give excellent scientific treatments, but there is something lacking in the care of her patients if she does not have the love of Jesus in her heart. This love and fellowship can be cherished only by the nurse who daily communes with the Great Physician.
