Christians in healthcare

A story came up recently in the news here that barely made it to the headlines, but turned out to be pretty significant for christians in healthcare.  A christian home-health care nurse has been suspended for offering to pray for one of her patients.  About 6 months before then, she had offered to pray with a patient who had gladly accepted; however, the patient's caregiver thought it was inappropriate and notified the board here, who, in turn, made her complete an "Ethics and Diversity" course to make her more 'culturally aware.'  Thankfully, she refused to stop offering prayer to her patients.  So when she offered prayer to an elderly woman, the woman said no and the nurse politely replied, 'ok', finished her work, and left.  This patient then told the community nurse visiting her the next day that, 'though it didn't bother me, I think others might find it offensive.' And the nurse was dismissed that same day.  She has not been reinstated in her job yet, and I do not know if she will be.  

I am still trying to wrap my mind around it all as I prepare to get back into nursing (after waiting a year and a half, my license here has been granted, so I am applying for and interviewing at different jobs!).  But I was really encouraged by a friend of mine here in Glasgow, who was once a pediatric nephrologist and now works at our church.  He wrote a letter to the local newspaper and they published it.  This is what he said:

" I read with interest about Caroline Petrie, the nurse suspended for offering to pray with a patient.  I worked as a doctor for four years and the only patients I ever received thank-you cards from were those with whom I had prayed.  This may be an unfortunate reflection on my medical skills or it may be reflect the fact that the majority of patients are aware of spiritual realities and needs, and open to healthcare workers discussing them.  How terrible would it be if professionals were reduced to treating the disease and not the person."  (Euan Dodds)