Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing

by Arlene B. Miller and Judith Allen Shelly

Book Overview

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 expanded Called...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 083082765X
• ISBN13: 9780830827657
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.7" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A Must Read for Every Christian Nurse...

If one is training to be a nurse these days, one cannot escape the influx of ideology from the alternative medicine crowd (which is really Hindu/Buddhist thought masquerading behind western terminology). If one is a Christian, one may encounter Applied Kinesiology, Reiki, Qi Gong, Touch for Health, etc. and believe the sales pitch that comes with it ("there's nothing spiritual here..." or "you're manipulating biomagnetic energy" or "plenty of Christians do this..."). If the Bible is true though, and a Christian starts experimenting with pagan (i.e. Buddhist/Hindu) divination/magik, then partaking in a majority of the practices of alternative medicine is directly forbidden in the scripture. That means that if you're a nurse, and you're sucked into practicing healing touch, Reiki, Applied Kinesiology, etc., you may be being sucked into stuff that is inherently sinful and opening a horribly dangerous door. This book is fantastic for clarifying the underlying ideologies and theology between western and eastern medicine. The authors clear up what "biblical spirituality" is, the nature of reality (all is not 'one'), the foolishness of 'general spirituality', the whole idea that the body has innate power to heal itself (how any nurse can believe that the doctor is actually doing nothing and the body is actually doing all the healing is beyond me...), the (un)reality of chi, and the relationship of God to health and healing. "Called to Care" lays down a biblical worldview for nursing in it's historic context; that of Christians caring for the sick with the compassion of Christ, fueled by biblical theology that sees the image of God in all people. It's a great book that is simply honest about what the Bible says about all the various issues associated with mercy ministry, care and nursing while taking an honest look at the modern psuedo-medicine and psuedo-spirituality that is so popular in the undiscerning west. Just because something is new does not mean it's deep or true. Some of the stupidest ideas have been around the longest, and Christians are seemingly chronic suckers. If you're a nurse, have been exposed to some strange 'healing' practices and have questions about why they sound fishy, this is a GREAT place to start. Definitely a high recommend for anyone who's a Christian and is in health care.

Called to Care:Achristian Worldview for nursing by Judith Allen Shelly

This book is an excellent guide for nurses who are looking for christian approach to caring

A delightful, inspirational and scholarly read!

Shelly and Miller have struck a chord in the heart of nursing with their improved 2nd edition of Called to Care. Their overview of the history of nursing and caring helps us understand how we got to where we are today, while their presentations on person, the environment, health as shalom, and nursing show us where we need to go in the future. Their explanation of a Christian worldview for nursing is both simple and deeply profound. I found myself cheering inside saying, "Yes, that's what nursing is about! That's why I'm a nurse!" This is a great book for nurses at the bedside, undergraduate and graduate students in nursing, nurse educators and nurse researchers alike.

Practical while scholarly - a classic in canon of nursing theory

Very readible using stories from nursing practice to illustrate a tapestry of content from nursing theory, philosophy,and history. The major concepts of the nursing paradigm and various worldviews provide structure for the content. Numerous illustrations and tables clarify content and case studies at the end of each chapter encourage engagement with that content. Useful to a broad spectrum of readers from undergrad and graduate students to practicing nurses whether they be in intensive care or parish nurse settings. In summary - a very valuable contribution to the canon of nursing literature.

Reaffirms my reason to be a nurse and the foundations of the profession.

This book is a must read for nurses and other health care professionals who want to reaffirm the meaning and purpose of their work as they are called to care by God. Shelly and Miller have expanded on the first edition by adding a purpose and objectives for each chapter, discussion questions, and case studies. In addition there are charts and tables comparing worldviews and nursing theories, detailing healing accounts in the New Testament, and contrasting the views on hope in suffering from various religions. Rich story telling brings authenticity and insight to patient care and student-faculty examples. Finally, we hear the inspiring voices of six Christian nursing leaders they share their visions for the future of nursing.