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Nursing Resources

CHA Resources

Careful Nursing

"Careful Nursing" is a model developed in the early 19th century by Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. It was used first in Ireland, then by the Irish nurses in the Crimean War. It is likely to have been be adapted by Florence Nightingale in her nursing framework, practice and teaching. 

Other Organization Resources

Divine and Gentle Nurse, A Prayer Service

Nurse's Examen

The Examen exercise by Saint Ignatius offers those in nursing a means for reflection after a shift or at the end of the day. It is available in hardcopy as a card or downloadable 8.5 x 11 page.

Improving the Lives of Older Adults through Faith Community Partnerships

Improving the Lives of Older Adults through Faith Community Partnerships: Healing Body, Mind and Spirit

Faith communities and health care organizations are both called to heal. By partnering together, these organizations can complement each other’s strengths to provide health, social and spiritual support to elders in need. While there may be challenges to starting these partnerships, they can have great benefits for all involved. By participating in holistic approaches that heal mind, body and spirit, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other health and senior service organizations have the opportunity to reduce admissions, readmissions and lengths of stay—key metrics in an evolving payment system that increasingly focuses on quality and patient outcomes rather than volume of services. For mission-based health care organizations, going into the community to help a vulnerable groups demonstrates their charitable mission and tax-exempt purpose.This 25-page booklet makes the case for greater partnership between health care organizations and faith communities in service to the elder populations they serve. It provides examples of current partnerships, suggestions for how to get started and shares relevant websites and resources. The document’s use is recommended for community benefit professionals, population health leaders, mission leaders, Faith Community Nurse coordinators at health systems and Faith Community Nurses.

Divine and Gentle Nurse, A Prayer Service

Call to Prayer

Reader 1

Let us take a moment of silence and be aware of God’s presence among us.

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Thessalonians 

“We were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children.  So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.” (1Thess 2: 7b-8)

The Word of the Lord   All: Thanks be to God.

Reader 2

We gather to celebrate and thank God for nurses in our health care community who provide consistent comfort and care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Theirs is one of the toughest jobs around - requiring patience, intelligence, listening, conflict management, calm, quick thinking and endurance – all in a fast-paced, often stressful environment.  It is fitting that in scripture, when the prophets and preachers want to describe the height of compassion, they frequently turned to the image of the nurse – the image of one who gives not only medicine, but the gift of themselves to others.

Reader 3

Let us call to mind some of the nurses who have touched our lives and our work in a significant way, and join in praying for them:

Side 1

Gentle God, we come in thanksgiving for the nurses in our midst.  You have given them a lofty vocation – to mirror your love and compassion for the sick.  When we watch them at work, we sense your presence in their words and deeds.

Side 2

Gentle God, we ask you to draw near to these women and men who have given their lives in service to others.  Fill their minds and their hearts with your wisdom and mercy that they might truly be your hands and feet in our institution.

Side 1

Grant them the perseverance and strength needed to do their job well.

Side 2

Give them courage to speak on behalf of those they serve and advocate for those in greatest need.

Side 1

Comfort them in their sorrows and disappointments, in their losses and worries.

Side 2

Shelter them in times of trial, creating spaces for them to rest and to listen for your voice.

All

Hear us, O Divine Nurse, and answer our prayer, for you are all good and all kind and never tire of ministering to our needs.  Amen.