Your ShelfYour Projects

The Better Way of Working

20%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 4, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 49.

Read the full edition

The Better Way of Working

By L. A. H.

THE other day a nurse in one of our sanitariums was telling me how anxious she had been for a suitable opportunity to speak of spiritual matters to her patient, a lady moving in prominent social circles. After several days of careful endeavor and of watching, the nurse found the desired opportunity in answering questions concerning our faith. She made a wise use of it with encouraging results. When speaking of it, she exclaimed: “O! but it is a satisfaction to work this way, trying to help spiritually as well as physically! I feel that I do not want to work as I have before, and I am so sorry for the opportunities I have lost.”
The next day one of our postgraduate nurses at our city dispensary told me some of her experiences in neighborhood visiting, particularly mentioning cases that were offering openings for gospel work, holding Bible readings, distributing literature, etc. She said, gratefully: “It is a joy to work this way. It is the most satisfactory way. It is the kind of work I want to do.”
Similar expressions have come from other nurses regarding their real desires. It is a good indication. It means a realization of the true purpose of the work of our nurses. Recognizing in each patient not merely a “case,” but a soul that is the purchase of Christ’s own life, the nurse will give the truest servicepossible. She will be faithful in doing everything that can be done to give relief from pain and suffering.
Professional proficiency, technique, or high standards will not suffer because the nurse views her work from a missionary standpoint. These have nothing to lose and much to gain by a consecrated zeal for souls on the part of the nurse. Their importance will be the more emphasized with the higher conception of her work. Recognizing her calling as one that can be of great blessing to the sufferer, and purporting to make the most of it, the nurse must live in close touch with the Saviour; and, realizing his constant grace and blessing, she will indeed find her greatest satisfaction. L. A. H.