National Nurse's Week Bible Study

I AM PROUD OF MY PROFESSION. IT IS A REWARDING PROFESSION AND I DON’T MEAN MONETARY BUT SPIRITUAL. THESE TWO BIBLE STUDIES CAME FROM THE INTERVASITY NURSES CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. CHECK THEIR WEB SITE AT WWW.NCF.JCN.ORG

The two studies are” Nurses Leading the Way” and “Ethical Practice, Quality Care”. You are probably like me and wonder how this can related to the Bible.  Good reason to do the studies.

NURSES LEADING THE WAY

What does leadership look like in nursing? What are the characteristics of good leaders? No matter what your role in nursing, YOU ARE A LEADER. In this New Testament letter, Peter urges church leaders to remember a few basic principles and encourages them to be guides by Jesus’ example.  I will post some discussion questions under the EVENT notice. (Don’t want to confuse others with our upcoming Prayer Study.

READ 1 PETER 5:1-11

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.     What qualities does Peter encourage leaders to cultivate?

2.     What leadership responsibilities do you have? Who are you in a position to influence in your personal and professional life?

3.     If you applied these leadership qualities in your workplace, what effect might this have?

4.     How does the image of Christ as a shepherd impact you as a leader? Looking at verses 6-7, what do we learn about how God relates to us? How does his care for us to live differently?

5.     If God has a vision for our potential, how can we also unlock the potential in those around us? What steps can you take to strengthen the leadership characteristics found in this passage as you lead the way for others?

ETHICAL PRACTICE, QUALITY CARE

Throughout 2015, ANA is encouraging nurses to celebrate their role in delivering the highest level of quality care to their patients. We recognize that highly ethical nursing practice directly impacts patient care quality and safety for the better.

How would you define “ethical practice” in nursing? What are the foundational principles and standards for ethical practice? This year’s theme for National Nurse’s Week can generate some thoughtful discussions with your nurse friends and coworkers.

The ANA Code of Ethic and nurse practice acts provide guidelines and rules for nursing practice, but they don’t absolve us from making appropriate individual decisions. Ethics in nursing involves individual interpretation. It is based on individual morals and values and our own principles of right and wrong. We have to decide what is right and wrong for ourselves.

The Bible has a lot to say about right and wrong attitudes and behaviors and caring for others, yet most of our efforts at righteous living are limited and fall short of God’s standards. Because of God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, we are constantly given new opportunities to reflect God’s standards for Christ-like attitudes and behaviors that we can incorporate into our nursing practice.

READ Philippians 4:8-9. Read it aloud.

TRUE. What effect can rumors, gossip and lies have on one’s life? What is true about God? About people and the world? How do these truths influence your attitudes and behaviors, your nursing practice? How can you promote truth in your workplace?

NOBLE/RIGHT: How do you determine what is right and wrong? What injustices do you see in your workplace? What are some ways you can make things right or just in your circumstances?

PURE/LOVELY/ADMIRABLE: What is the difference between these characteristics? What images come to mind as you reflect on them?

EXCELLENT/PRAISEWORTHY: What are ways you can intentionally promote excellence in your work environment? What do you see that is worthy of praise? How does thinking about positive things have an effect on your attitude?

REFLECTION

How does our thought life influence our actions?

What is your vision for ethical practice?

What attitudes and behaviors do you aim for? Why?

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE

As nurses, we see very ill people who are in pain and often at their worst. We clean up messes, work short-staffed and encounter unexpected and critical situations. Through our work circumstances, how can we continue to think of good things? What outcomes do we want to see for our patients, our workplace and ourselves?

What is one step you can take to put these attitudes and behaviors into daily practice?

Scripture says that if we think on these things and put them into practice, the God of peace will be with us. How does this promise give you hope?