ASSUMPTIONS

Ministry of Caring Retreats are based upon the following “Assumptions”:

• Nurses/health care workers went into their professions because they care about people.

• Nursing the sick is an expression of love and compassion.

• It matters in health care that people are treated with the greatest respect, dignity and kindness.

• Nursing the sick is called by many a “ministry”, a “calling” and a “gift”.

• Caring for the sick involves a high level of commitment, responsibility, problem solving ability and (at times) risk taking.

• The welfare of others is as important to the nurse as is her/his own welfare.

• Is caring for others in these years of high stress care-giving, a “profession” or a “sentence to serve”?

• Change, stress, fear of losing ones’ job has health care workers “on the edge”.

• Expanded roles, advanced practice degrees and the need for increased education have heightened societal expectations.

• Many nurses/health care workers are wondering “who is giving to me?” or “How can I continue to give to my patients when I have to put so much energy into coping”?

• Nurses/health care workers want to feel good about themselves, the patient care they give and the work they do.

• With more attention given to the holistic approach, research is being done on the effects of spiritual care of the patient, but the spiritual care of the nurse/health care worker is also a concern.

• There has never been a “support group” for nurses/health care workers when often the need is very evident.