Nursing 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. 

Prayer for Faith Community Nurses

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.

Prayer for Faith Community Nurses

Dear God, 

Send your Holy Spirit into my heart
today and hear my prayer for health
and healing. Use my hands as if they
were yours to touch and help heal
others. Use my ears as if they were
yours to listen to those in pain, loss, or,
indecision. Use my heart as if it was
yours to love and accept those that are
different from us, lonely, and afraid.
Use my arms as if they were yours to
embrace those who need reassurance
and security. Use my soft voice as if it
was yours to pray and provide comfort.
Use my gentle spirit as if it was yours to
bring your Holy presence into those who
need you close. Give me your strength
and ability to work through you and
give of myself for others in need.  Amen. 

—from Prayers for the Soul by Holly A Barros, RN, BSN, CPN As posted at  http://healthcare.stcdio.org/2013/06/page/2/