Called to Care : A Christian Worldview for Nursing

Nursing keeps changing.The role of the nurse grew out of a Christian understanding of the human person as created in the image of God, and viewed the body as a living unity and the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 6:19). Contemporary nursing, however, is increasingly characterized by a diminished understanding of personhood. The impact on patient care has proven confusing and discouraging to many nurses.In the newly revised and expandedCalled to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing,Judith Allen Shelly and Arlene B. Miller define nursing for today based on a historically and theologically grounded understanding of the nurse's call:Nursing is a ministry of compassionate care for the whole person, in response to God's grace toward a sinful world, which aims to foster optimum health (shalom) and bring comfort in suffering and death for anyone in need.Called to Careasserts that nursing is a vocation, giving nurses a framework for understanding their mission and living out their calling: service to God through caring for others.