Nestled among the Ozark mountains in Northwest Arkansas is a Christian Science 
nursing facility full of promise! The Village, Inc. is a beautiful community that offers all levels of care ranging from duplexes for independent living, to a sheltered care wing, to a complete Christian Science nursing facility. Although the focus here is on retirement living, Christian Science nursing is an integral part of The Village.
I came to The Village a little over a year ago after working in a home Christian Science nursing setting for six years. Although I had received my training at a Christian Science nursing facility, I really enjoyed the more relaxed home setting at my previous job. I saw that The Village's newly renovated Christian Science nursing facility had been designed to be more home-like and I was eager to share my concept of Christian Science nursing with the staff.
In my years of Christian Science nursing, I have always viewed my work as a ministry. My desire to love as Christ Jesus loved began to overtake my need to be regimented by procedures and time tables. I wanted my new staff to understand that God determines our day and that we can be flexible. Even though we are trained in the specifics of how to complete tasks, we can listen attentively to divine Mind to direct when and how these tasks are to be accomplished.
I encouraged the Christian Science nurses to take a more relaxed approach to timing. In other words, not to be caught up in breakfast at eight, lunch at noon, and supper at six. Some days it might be seven, eleven-thirty, and five and that's OK! To me, ministering to the patient means giving them the freedom to live as closely as possible to how they would live at home. It also means allowing them to really have a role in their care. Of course we have to keep schedules, and sometimes we need to take more charge, but flexibility is extremely important in Christian Science nursing! I have found that the more Love guided me, the more harmonious the Christian Science nursing floor felt. People generally respond better to instruction or gentle encouragement when they are not feeling pushed or controlled.
The Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy describes the ministry of Christian Science nursing succinctly. It states that the Christian Science nurse needs to be one who has a, "demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice, who thoroughly understands the practical wisdom necessary in a sick room, and who can take proper care of the sick". (Church Manual 49:10-13) I always found it interesting that Mrs. Eddy says we need practical wisdom and also to know how to take proper care. To me, these two things have different meanings. The practical wisdom, tells me that it is the inspired Mind-directed activity that will govern the Christian Science nurse's actions and know when to perform a task or offer inspiration. Proper care refers to our knowing how to perform these tasks in an efficient and loving manner. Becoming skilled at proper care is gained through training and on-the-job experience, whereas practical wisdom is gained through spiritual growth and our ability to step outside ourselves and listen.
As the Director of Christian Science nursing at The Village, I put great emphasis on listening. When I first arrived here, the staff was accustomed to being instructed on every detail. They were surprised when I told them I expected them to be able to discern for themselves what the need in a room was. Although I expect a high standard of care, I wanted to see a more inspired approach to Christian Science nursing. I wanted the Christian Science nurses to be very aware that the Christ entered the room before them! It took a little getting used to, but slowly I started to see the staff nursing with more confidence and increased grace. The hurried sense of time-keeping relaxed into a more comfortable pace for nurse and patient and we saw happier Christian Science nurses and patients.
Christian Science Nursing at The Village is definitely a ministry! We are seeing some wonderful healings and the atmosphere is uplifted and joyful. I have been so grateful to bring my understanding of Christian Science nursing to this facility and to witness the change brought about by helping my fellow Christian Science nurses focus on Christly compassion and activity. What a joy to participate in this Manual-based activity!
My sense of Christian Science nursing can be best understood from a passage in The Bible. In Deuteronomy it says, "The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders." (Deut 33:12)
