Called to Care: A Christian Vision for Nursing

by Judith Allen Shelly, Arlene B. Miller, Kimberly H. Fenstermacher

Overview

Nursing is a vocation: a calling from God to care for others. The role of the nurse originally grew out of a holistic Christian understanding of humans as created in the image of God. Yet as nursing and healthcare continue to change, the effects have proven disorienting to many. Now more than ever, we need nurses who are committed both to a solid understanding of their profession and to caring well for patients and their families.

For over twenty years, Called to Care has served as a unique and essential resource for nurses. In this third edition Judith Allen Shelly and Arlene B. Miller, now joined by coauthor Kimberly H. Fenstermacher, present a definition for nursing based on a historically and theologically grounded vision of the nurse's call:

Nursing is a ministry of compassionate and restorative care for the whole person, in response to God's grace, which aims to promote and foster optimum health (shalom) and bring comfort in suffering and death for anyone in need.

Focusing on the features of the nursing metaparadigm—person, health, environment, and nursing—they provide a framework for understanding how the Christian faith relates to the many aspects of a nurse's work, from theory to everyday practice.

This new edition of Called to Care is thoroughly revised for today's nurses, including updated examples and new content on topics such as cultural competency, palliative care, and the current state of healthcare and nursing education. Each chapter features learning objectives, discussion questions, case studies, and theological reflections from Scripture to help readers engage and apply the content. For educators, students, and practitioners throughout the field of nursing, this classic text continues to provide clarity and wisdom for living out their calling.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781514000922
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	07/20/2021
Edition description:	Revised, Third Edition
Pages:	328
Sales rank:	858,897
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Judith Allen Shelly, R.N., B.S.N., M.A., D.Min., is publications director for Nurses Christian Fellowship, director of NCF Press and former editor of the Journal of Christian Nursing. Her editorial work has won numerous awards from the Evangelical Press Association. Shelly has written many books including Spiritual Care: A Guide for Caregivers (IVP, 2000) and The Changing Face of Health Care (Eerdmans, 1998). Her articles have appeared in journals such as Ethics and Medicine, Christian Counseling Today and Christian Bioethics. She has also been an adjunct professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea, and at North Park University in Chicago, Illinois.

Arlene B. Miller (RN, PhD) is retired from the Department of Nursing at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. Her books include Values in Conflict.

Kimberly H. Fenstermacher (PhD, CRNP) is chief nursing administrator, assistant dean of nursing, and associate professor of nursing at Messiah University.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Third Edition ix

Preface xi

Part 1 Nursing-The Call to Care

1 Caring and the Christian Story 3

2 Revolution in the Nursing Paradigm 19

3 A Christian Vision for Nursing 37

Part 2 The Person-Caring in Relationship

4 What Does It Mean to Be Human? 57

5 The Person as a Spiritual Being 78

6 The Person as a Cultural Being 98

Part 3 The Environment-Context for Care

7 The Seen Environment 123

8 The Unseen Environment 142

9 A Storied Environment 163

Part 4 Health-Outcomes of Care

10 Working Toward Shalom 183

11 Hope in Suffering 200

12 The Paradox of Death 218

Part 5 Nursing-Practice of Care

13 Nursing as Christian Caring 239

14 Spiritual Care 263

15 Looking to the Future 284

Appendix: Guidelines for Evaluating Alternative Therapies 313

Index 316

What People are Saying About This

Amy Rex Smith

"This is the book for which Christian schools of nursing have been waiting. This third edition of Called to Care has been thoroughly updated to address changes in nursing and provides a sound theology of Christian worldview. The updated format—including examples, questions, objectives, and case studies—provides structure for ease in classroom applications. Because the writing is clear and the content is accessible, this book also has general interest to Christian nurses beyond a classroom setting. I found it a pleasure to read. I plan to give it to my faculty members and to use it in our senior nursing synthesis courses for both our prelicensure and RN students."

Kristen L. Mauk

"In this long-awaited third edition, authors Shelly, Miller, and Fenstermacher revive the beloved classic that presents a Christian worldview for nursing. This book has been a staple of faith-based nursing programs for decades. Readers will find chapters and content consistent with prior editions along with some new applications and stories. The vision set forth by this text remains true to the timeless Christian message that as nurses we embrace a worthy calling to bring compassion, comfort, and shalom to the persons we serve."

Sue Kim

"This new edition of Called to Care carefully examines nursing's historical roots, theoretical tenets, and contemporary context through a Scripture-based lens, while engaging readers with vignettes, case studies, and discussion points. This thoughtful and timely invitation for reflection on nursing as Christian caring is so relevant for Christian nurses, nursing students, and nurse educators."

Diane Elliott-Lee

"Courageous nurses will find this new edition an essential companion that lights the way in practice and academic settings influenced by modern and postmodern worldviews."

Shirlene Newbanks

"The authors of the third edition of Called to Care clearly describe the theological foundation of nursing from a Christian worldview. As in previous editions, the text fills a critical need for nurses seeking to develop and explain their nursing philosophy and integrate their Christian faith in nursing practice. The biblical foundation of nursing is threaded throughout the text, assisting readers in reflecting on God as the source of their worldview and calling to nursing, supporting their motivation to be nurses. The authors encourage nurses to carefully consider biblical and theological truth when evaluating nursing theories they incorporate into their practice. Implications for caring for the whole person regardless of culture are emphasized in the text. The authors define culture, describe the person as a cultural being, and support the Christian nurse's role in providing Christ-centered care for diverse populations from a biblical perspective, emphasizing that people from all cultures should be respected and treated with kindness. The case studies and discussion questions following each chapter are good teaching tools, making this an excellent textbook for schools of nursing to include as a resource for their curriculum."

Pat Ashworth

"In the increasingly complex and challenging world of health care, a nurse's faith can be a necessary point of reference to avoid being just swept along in the tide of change. This book can assist quicker development of a sufficiently mature and thought-through Christian faith to enable a nurse to cope explicitly with the challenges of life, suffering, death, and an unending succession of new ethical issues, and to support others in doing so. The original biblically well-referenced discussion of nursing and concepts relevant to it, illustrated by nursing stories, gives a coherent Christian perspective on nursing. The discussion questions and points for further thinking and reflection highlight its relevance and application in practice. Many could usefully be raised in a group of nurses or students with a variety of faiths or none. The purpose, objectives, and key words for each chapter also help to focus thought and learning. This book is a welcome resource."

Shanna W. Akers

"Nursing is a science and an art. Our art of caring is built on a foundation of biblical truths. Human beings, created in the image of God, are his most prized creation, and nurses have the honor of providing holistic care to the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of each distinctive person. In the third edition of Called to Care, Shelly, Miller, and Fenstermacher present the practice of nursing as the holistic care of the unique individual created in the image of God as the person seeks peace and hope. It is must-read for all Christian nurses!"

John F. Kilner

"While the core Christian message has not changed since the first edition, the world within and beyond health care certainly has—and with it, the concrete implications of a Christian worldview. Even those familiar with the original edition will want to read the latest work of these champions of caring with heart and mind."

Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner

"The third edition of Called to Care once again allows students and nurses to consider nursing and the concepts of the nursing metaparadigm (nursing, person, health, environment) from a Christian, biblical perspective. Shelly, Miller, and Fenstermacher contend that, 'there is a relationship between what a person believes about God and how nursing care is delivered.' I couldn't agree more. Their assertion that spirituality, from the Christian worldview, 'is essentially relationship—a relationship of the whole person to a personal God and to other people (or spirits),' brings clarity to a complex concept. This third edition, like the first two, is an easy-to-read introductory text for anyone wanting to appreciate what is Christian nursing. I was again inspired that my calling as a nurse is from God."

Bart Cusveller

"To my mind, the first edition of Called to Care has become a classic for Christian nurses. . . . The book offers a valid challenge to those who propose to interpret notions like 'good nursing care' from the perspective of different worldviews. Shelly and Miller show a broad and deep knowledge of the literature and make a well-argued case for the strengths and weaknesses in many trends in nursing theory and practice. For those who want to interact with what the Christian tradition of nursing looks like today, Called to Care is as good a starting point as any."

Editorial Reviews

05/17/2021

Nurses Shelly, Miller, and Fenster­macher give their vocation a close examination in this invaluable tool for Christians who have chosen nursing or caregiving as a profession. The authors begin by explaining nursing’s Christian roots and note that Christ’s healing ministry and instruction to care for the disenfranchised motivated the likes of Florence Nightingale and inspired the establishment of many nursing schools and missionary charities. Arguing that “true nursing cannot be divorced from the Christian story,” the authors discuss how to approach each patient as a whole person created in the image of God. That means taking into account a patient’s culture, family, and surroundings, as well as their physical ailments. Health isn’t limited to physical well-being, the authors point out, and is better defined as shalom—a God-centered wellness of peace, rest, and safety. Each chapter ends with reflective questions and a case study to apply the concepts discussed. Also included are sections on how nurses can navigate a toxic work culture, the difficulty of continual exposure to death, and praying with patients. This measured, empathic analysis will be perfect for Christians of all stripes working in patient care. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"Courageous nurses will find this new edition an essential companion that lights the way in practice and academic settings influenced by modern and postmodern worldviews."

Diane Elliott-Lee

"This new edition of Called to Care carefully examines nursing's historical roots, theoretical tenets, and contemporary context through a Scripture-based lens, while engaging readers with vignettes, case studies, and discussion points. This thoughtful and timely invitation for reflection on nursing as Christian caring is so relevant for Christian nurses, nursing students, and nurse educators."

Sue Kim

"The authors of the third edition of Called to Care clearly describe the theological foundation of nursing from a Christian worldview. As in previous editions, the text fills a critical need for nurses seeking to develop and explain their nursing philosophy and integrate their Christian faith in nursing practice. The biblical foundation of nursing is threaded throughout the text, assisting readers in reflecting on God as the source of their worldview and calling to nursing, supporting their motivation to be nurses. The authors encourage nurses to carefully consider biblical and theological truth when evaluating nursing theories they incorporate into their practice. Implications for caring for the whole person regardless of culture are emphasized in the text. The authors define culture, describe the person as a cultural being, and support the Christian nurse's role in providing Christ-centered care for diverse populations from a biblical perspective, emphasizing that people from all cultures should be respected and treated with kindness. The case studies and discussion questions following each chapter are good teaching tools, making this an excellent textbook for schools of nursing to include as a resource for their curriculum."

Shirlene Newbanks

"Nursing is a science and an art. Our art of caring is built on a foundation of biblical truths. Human beings, created in the image of God, are his most prized creation, and nurses have the honor of providing holistic care to the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of each distinctive person. In the third edition of Called to Care, Shelly, Miller, and Fenstermacher present the practice of nursing as the holistic care of the unique individual created in the image of God as the person seeks peace and hope. It is must-read for all Christian nurses!"

Shanna W. Akers

"While the core Christian message has not changed since the first edition, the world within and beyond health care certainly has—and with it, the concrete implications of a Christian worldview. Even those familiar with the original edition will want to read the latest work of these champions of caring with heart and mind."

John F. Kilner

"To my mind, the first edition of Called to Care has become a classic for Christian nurses. . . . The book offers a valid challenge to those who propose to interpret notions like 'good nursing care' from the perspective of different worldviews. Shelly and Miller show a broad and deep knowledge of the literature and make a well-argued case for the strengths and weaknesses in many trends in nursing theory and practice. For those who want to interact with what the Christian tradition of nursing looks like today, Called to Care is as good a starting point as any."

Bart Cusveller

"This is the book for which Christian schools of nursing have been waiting. This third edition of Called to Care has been thoroughly updated to address changes in nursing and provides a sound theology of Christian worldview. The updated format—including examples, questions, objectives, and case studies—provides structure for ease in classroom applications. Because the writing is clear and the content is accessible, this book also has general interest to Christian nurses beyond a classroom setting. I found it a pleasure to read. I plan to give it to my faculty members and to use it in our senior nursing synthesis courses for both our prelicensure and RN students."

Amy Rex Smith

"In the increasingly complex and challenging world of health care, a nurse's faith can be a necessary point of reference to avoid being just swept along in the tide of change. This book can assist quicker development of a sufficiently mature and thought-through Christian faith to enable a nurse to cope explicitly with the challenges of life, suffering, death, and an unending succession of new ethical issues, and to support others in doing so. The original biblically well-referenced discussion of nursing and concepts relevant to it, illustrated by nursing stories, gives a coherent Christian perspective on nursing. The discussion questions and points for further thinking and reflection highlight its relevance and application in practice. Many could usefully be raised in a group of nurses or students with a variety of faiths or none. The purpose, objectives, and key words for each chapter also help to focus thought and learning. This book is a welcome resource."

Pat Ashworth

"In this long-awaited third edition, authors Shelly, Miller, and Fenstermacher revive the beloved classic that presents a Christian worldview for nursing. This book has been a staple of faith-based nursing programs for decades. Readers will find chapters and content consistent with prior editions along with some new applications and stories. The vision set forth by this text remains true to the timeless Christian message that as nurses we embrace a worthy calling to bring compassion, comfort, and shalom to the persons we serve."

Kristen L. Mauk

"Nursing is a science and an art. Our art of caring is built on a foundation of biblical truths. Human beings, created in the image of God, are his most prized creation, and nurses have the honor of providing holistic care to the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of each distinctive person. In the third edition of Called to Care, Shelly, Miller, and Fenstermacher present the practice of nursing as the holistic care of the unique individual created in the image of God as the person seeks peace and hope. It is must-read for all Christian nurses!"

--Shanna W. Akers, dean of the School of Nursing at Liberty University and AACN-Wharton Executive Leadership Fellow

"The authors of the third edition of Called to Care clearly describe the theological foundation of nursing from a Christian worldview. As in previous editions, the text fills a critical need for nurses seeking to develop and explain their nursing philosophy and integrate their Christian faith in nursing practice. The biblical foundation of nursing is threaded throughout the text, assisting readers in reflecting on God as the source of their worldview and calling to nursing, supporting their motivation to be nurses. The authors encourage nurses to carefully consider biblical and theological truth when evaluating nursing theories they incorporate into their practice. Implications for caring for the whole person regardless of culture are emphasized in the text. The authors define culture, describe the person as a cultural being, and support the Christian nurse's role in providing Christ-centered care for diverse populations from a biblical perspective, emphasizing that people from all cultures should be respected and treated with kindness. The case studies and discussion questions following each chapter are good teaching tools, making this an excellent textbook for schools of nursing to include as a resource for their curriculum."

--Shirlene Newbanks, associate faculty, School of Nursing at Indiana Wesleyan University

"This is the book for which Christian schools of nursing have been waiting. This third edition of Called to Care has been thoroughly updated to address changes in nursing and provides a sound theology of Christian worldview. The updated format--including examples, questions, objectives, and case studies--provides structure for ease in classroom applications. Because the writing is clear and the content is accessible, this book also has general interest to Christian nurses beyond a classroom setting. I found it a pleasure to read. I plan to give it to my faculty members and to use it in our senior nursing synthesis courses for both our prelicensure and RN students."

--Amy Rex Smith, professor and dean of the School of Nursing, Belhaven University

"This new edition of Called to Care carefully examines nursing's historical roots, theoretical tenets, and contemporary context through a Scripture-based lens, while engaging readers with vignettes, case studies, and discussion points. This thoughtful and timely invitation for reflection on nursing as Christian caring is so relevant for Christian nurses, nursing students, and nurse educators."

--Sue Kim, professor at the College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, and board member of Korea Nurses Christian Fellowship

"To my mind, the first edition of Called to Care has become a classic for Christian nurses. . . . The book offers a valid challenge to those who propose to interpret notions like 'good nursing care' from the perspective of different worldviews. Shelly and Miller show a broad and deep knowledge of the literature and make a well-argued case for the strengths and weaknesses in many trends in nursing theory and practice. For those who want to interact with what the Christian tradition of nursing looks like today, Called to Care is as good a starting point as any."

--Bart Cusveller, Viaa Christian University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, Netherlands

From the Publisher