What led to your decision to pursue nursing?

Called to Nursing Care Have you heard anyone say they felt “called” into nursing? What led to your decision to pursue nursing? This Scripture passage looks at God’s call to meet the needs of those who are hurting. Read Isaiah 61:1-3: 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. For discussion and reflection: List at least three types of patients noted in these verses. What are the unique needs of each group? To which group are you most readily drawn? How is a person’s physical health sometimes affected by his or her spiritual needs (for love, purpose, meaning, forgiveness, etc.)? In what ways do you provide for your spiritual needs? Those of your patients? In what ways can you be part of God’s work of “proclaiming, releasing and comforting” your patients? How is God’s splendor displayed in this process? Read Luke 4:17-20. 17 . . . the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him [Jesus]. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. In what ways did Jesus fulfill Isaiah’s message? As a nurse, how will you follow Jesus into a ministry of caring?