Life at Sunland
by Amy Edwards, Director of Christian Science Nursing (DOCSN) |
Located in the beach community of Encinitas, California, we see beauty  everywhere. It compels us to examine the ideas of Soul, and how we may bring that beauty inside to our patients here at Sunland.
We're blessed with many talented Christian Science nurses who are artists of every sort: musicians, designers, painters, and even food stylists. And we search for ways to share those talents with our patients. For instance, we've come to see food service as a unique landscape for beauty. Each meal tray is designed to showcase the food, with a locally-grown flower or even a tiny plant in a teacup. One of our Christian Science nurses designs our menus using local produce and then stages it on the tray. The patients feel loved, since the beautiful food is tailored to their needs by a Christian Science nurse who does our menu planning.
The same love that our patents feel is what we want for each of our Christian Science nurses. We're working together to be an inspired group who actually know and care about each other as people, not just fellow workers. One way we're building this team is by developing opportunities for us to share time together without the interruption of buzzers. On the first Tuesday of each month we have an open invitation to the staff to explore our local beaches, gardens, and cultural assets. It's always casual, enjoyable, and inexpensive. And it makes working together more fun.
That joyful expression of Soul radiates to our Christian Science nursing floor, from someone stopping at the piano to play a few hymns, to bringing in a beautiful watercolor they created to share. The more our Christian Science nurses experience together, the more Love we see expressed.
Personally, I think what connects me to the Christian Science nursing staff is that I frequently communicate with them through e-mail. I send out posted and projected schedules and any news or updates that would affect their lives. I announce upcoming meetings and ask for their suggestions for agendas.
Next month a local Christian Science practitioner is giving a talk during our regular Christian Science nurses' meeting. I just e-mailed all the staff and told them that this practitioner is really excited about the article "Waymarks" in Retrospection and Introspection by Mary Baker Eddy. So I asked all the Christian Science nurses to read the article before our meeting, with the expectation that they, too, will be enthused by meeting time.
Currently, we are sharing thoughts through e-mails about not falling for animal magnetism's trickery on the Christian Science nursing floor. It's just a casual, free-flow sharing of ideas.
Every facility has its unique beauty and Sunland, located in Southern California, is no exception. However, I do enjoy the casual and unique things about our facility, both inside and out. Where else would you find a wetsuit hanging in the staff lounge or Christian Science nurses surfing before the 3 pm shift? And our staff - they certainly reflect Soul and Love even stronger and brighter than the California sun.
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