You are on page 1of 4

Running Head: Catholic Health Ministry

Catholic Health Ministry


Dana L. Yurkon
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
I pledge

Running Head: Catholic Health Ministry

Providing care for those who are sick or in need, who are not ones own family could be one of
the most selfless and most difficult tasks another human can undertake. Choosing to join the health
care field is a choice that one must take seriously and making the choose to join the Catholic health
care ministry is a choice not to be taken lightly.
The Catholic Health Association of the United States states that as provider, employer,
advocate, citizen bringing together people of diverse faiths and backgrounds our ministry is an
enduring sign of health care rooted in our belief that every person is a treasure, every life a sacred gift,
every human being a unity of body, mind, and spirit. (Catholic Health Association of United States,
n.d.) With a deep rooted faith, a registered nurse must make the conscientious decision to be a follower
of the Catholic faith and uphold the values, morals, and ethics associated with the religion.
Within the Catholic health care ministry is the Shared Statement of Identity Commitments. By
incorporating these commitments into our everyday nursing lives, We answer God's call to foster
healing, act with compassion, and promote wellness for all persons and communities, with special
attention to our neighbors who are poor, underserved, and most vulnerable.(Catholic Health
Association of United States, n.d.) Out of the five commitments there are three which I can relate to my
practice as a registered nurse.
To promote and defend human dignity(Catholic Health Association of United States, n.d.) is a
practice and commitment that holds very true to the nursing field. Upon meeting a patient, a registered
nurse is starting the relationship process. This process starts with an introduction and ends with
discharge. With that being said, the in between is what can make or break the overall relationship.
Registered nurses within the Catholic health care ministry have a rooted ethical value to give respect to
patients as well as their families and loved ones. This respect promotes healing and gives the patient
the self worth that at times, especially at the end of life, some patients seem to lack.
Another part of the Shared Statement of Identity Commitments is that registered nurses within

Running Head: Catholic Health Ministry

the Catholic Health Care Ministry follow attend to the whole person.(Catholic Health Association of
United States, n.d.) Nurses bring in many aspects into their care for the patient. With that being said,
holistic, religious, and traditional methods are used to help health the sick and in need. Bringing the
Catholic faith into the care of patients allows registered nurses to attend to the various facets of the
human body and health. Emotional healing occurs when dignity and religious respect are given.
Physical healing comes along as the nurse provides for all of the patients needs.
Lastly, to care for poor and vulnerable persons(Catholic Health Association of United States, n.d.)
is another commitment which rings true to the registered nurse who drives their career within the
Catholic Health Care Ministry. No matter the patients color skin, socioeconomic status, ethic and/or
moral values, a registered nurse rooted in the Catholic faith and ethics of nursing, cares for this patient
the same as any other who walks into their care. There is no wavering, there is no difference in
treatment. A patient, any patient, is treated the same as the next. Nurses holding a deep Catholic faith
have a drive to help those in need. They are the vulnerable populations biggest advocate.
Nursing and the Catholic Health Care Ministry go hand in hand. The decision to become a
nurse, is one that is taken with great responsibility and pride. When a registered nurse makes the
decision to practice within the Catholic faith they are choosing to health by the ministry of the church
continuing Jesus' mission of love and healing today.(Catholic Health Association of United States,
n.d.)

Running Head: Catholic Health Ministry

4
References

Catholic Health Association of United States. (n.d.). A Shared Statement of Identity. Retrieved from
https://www.chausa.org/mission/a-shared-statement-of-identity

You might also like