Today’s Word from Pastor Kat…
Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, people possessed by demons or having epilepsy or afflicted with paralysis, and he cured them. Matthew 4:23-24
I am writing to you on August 13th, and in our church calendar, this is a commemoration day for Florence Nightingale who passed away on this date in 1910. One can’t have become a nurse without learning about Florence Nightingale, and nursing pastors must write about her! Outside of the church calendar, Nurse’s Week (May 6-12) is planned around Florence Nightingale, with International Nurses Day celebrated on her birthday, May 12.
When we lived in Nottingham, I attended a “History of Nursing in Nottingham” event hosted by the University library. I was confused when they referred to hospitals as “workhouses” or “poorhouses.” This article is a wonderful review of the historical weaving of workhouses, politics, and health care that would otherwise feel very overwhelming to explore. Workhouses were places for people who didn’t work, either because they couldn’t or had a hard time finding or keeping employment. If someone couldn’t work because of health problems, they were often cared for by other inmates in the workhouse. Florence Nightingale was an advocate for the sick being cared for by trained nurses in the workhouses, which led, in part, to the development of infirmaries or hospitals, and the eventual closing of workhouses.
If you’re ever a patient in the hospital, the nurses will make sure you’re repositioned every two hours. There is plenty of evidence behind pressure injuries and the amount of time one spends in one position, but one of my favorite reasons for why we turn patients every two hours is because “that’s how much time it took for Florence Nightingale to complete her rounds and turn patients in her ward.” She understood the correlation between rates of healing and problems that were preventable with good hygiene, movement, and fresh air. She understood the value of statistics (the OG implementer of evidence-based practice!), and she introduced nursing standards that improved health outcomes and reduced death rates. She laid the foundation of professional nursing and in 1860, established the first secular nursing school in the world!
When I think of Jesus’ ministry, I often think of the end of his ministry – his death on the cross. But so much of his ministry before the cross was dedicated to healing the sick and loving the poor – all of the people in the “poorhouses” or “workhouses” of his time. When I became a nurse in 2004, I entered the profession knowing that I wanted to be of service. I give thanks this day for Florence Nightingale, and for all the nurses who work hard every day to bring healing to all they care for!
In gratitude,
Your Med-Surg, ICU, PACU, & ED RN and Pastor
Katrina
