Nursing is more than just caring for the sick—it is a sacred ministry, a divine assignment wrapped in compassion, resilience, and purpose. It is a calling that reaches far beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics. As my mother aptly puts it, nursing is akin to pastoral work. It requires not only clinical skill but also spiritual soundness. A nurse does not simply treat symptoms; she ministers to the whole person—body, mind, and soul.
To effectively care for patients, nurses must be emotionally grounded, physically strong, and spiritually anchored. They are often the first to witness pain, the last to leave a bedside, and the quiet strength behind a patient’s recovery. When a nurse is whole and sound in these areas, she becomes a vessel of holistic healing—nurturing not just physical wellness, but emotional peace and spiritual restoration.
This truth echoes the timeless words of Virginia Henderson, who wrote: “The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge.”
Henderson’s definition reminds us that nursing is not just about doing, but about empowering—standing in the gap when someone is too weak, too weary, or too afraid to stand alone. It’s about restoring dignity, offering comfort, and walking with patients through both triumph and transition.
This year, our church has embraced the theme: “Unleashed to Live a Life Worthy of Your Calling.” It is a bold declaration—a reminder that we are not just called, but released into purpose. Nurses are not exempt from this charge; in fact, they embody it daily. Whether in scrubs or in prayer, nurses live out their calling with every step they take toward a patient, every word of encouragement they offer, and every silent prayer whispered in the corridors of care.
To be unleashed means to serve without hesitation, to lead with compassion, and to work with excellence. It means showing up even when it’s hard, loving even when it’s inconvenient, and giving even when it feels like there’s nothing left to give. It means living out your mandate with intentionality, knowing that your hands are instruments of healing and your heart is a sanctuary of hope.
Nursing isn’t just a title or a uniform—it’s a lifestyle of service. It’s about nurturing others back to health, supporting them through peaceful death, and being a steady presence in moments of chaos. To fulfill this calling, nurses must be intentional—not just in their shifts, but in their spirits.
They must perform their duties with excellence, and do so to the glory of God. By embracing this sacred responsibility, nurses honor both their profession and their faith. They become agents of healing, carriers of hope, and reflections of Christ’s love in a world that desperately needs it.
The nurse and her ministry are not separate—they are one. And when she walks in her calling with courage and conviction, lives are changed, and heaven draws near.
In a world that often overlooks the quiet heroes in scrubs, may we never forget that nursing is a divine assignment—one that demands strength, compassion, and unwavering faith. To be unleashed is to serve boldly, love deeply, and live each day worthy of the calling we have received.
As nurses, may we rise with purpose, walk with grace, and minister with excellence. For in every act of care, we reflect the heart of God.
By Princess Betty Foli-Mensah
