Opportunities of the Nurse by L. A. H.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 27, 1913

Opportunities of the Nurse

By L. A. H.

ONE of the Washington Sanitarium nurses was asked to respond to a call on an outside case. Understanding that the family had just dismissed a professional nurse, and might be rather hard to please, some hesitation was shown in answering the call, but she consented, entering upon her duties with some timidity.

The attending physician prescribed massage, and gave his consent to the use of other sanitarium treatments. While the patient had been pronounced incurable, favorable progress was made, and the doctor, the patient, and her friends were much pleased. A message of thanks was given the sanitarium for sending such a good nurse, and the doctor stated that he wished to “keep tab” on our nurses hereafter.

Interest was awakened in other places of our work, and many questions were asked about the truth, with the result that when the nurse returned to the sanitarium for fomentation cloths and other supplies, she also asked for some tracts on various points of truth.

Another nurse from the sanitarium was called to care for a woman of means and influence, a writer of some note. A favorable impression was created, and the attending physician told the nurse to use such of our treatments as she thought best, saying that while he had himself taken treatment in one of our sanitariums, he was not well acquainted with their application. As the nurse prepared the patient’s food, she was asked if she would prepare a special dinner for some guests. She consented, and with such things as were available provided a menu as follows:—

Creamed rice soup, with zwieback; mashed potatoes and gravy; spinach, with lemon points; vegetable roast, made of beans; apple and date salad; prune fluff, with whipped cream.

It was not an elaborate dinner, but the guests, a prominent city pastor and his daughter, were much pleased with it, expressing their appreciation many times, and saying they had never enjoyed a dinner more.

Another duty of the nurse was to read to the patient. She made as good a selection as possible from the library, and also read from “Ministry of Healing.” On Sabbaths only religious books were read, which was perfectly agreeable to the patient. A chapter from the Bible was read in the morning. One morning the patient asked the nurse if she would pray after reading. Later the patient said she was improving, and she felt sure it was due to the prayers of her nurse and her Christian influence. She expressed her purpose to give up certain hurtful articles of diet.

These are simple experiences, but they represent real, true-hearted service. Both these nurses have recently had a spiritual revival for themselves, and believe it is a special privilege that they can now

help some one else. They know they could not have done this before they had an experience of their own. It is in just such work that our nurses can fulfil their mission of service to the cause and to souls.

L. A. H.