Reflections on the Catholic Health Ministry

Jamie Driggs, RN

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

Professor Trina Gardner, MSN, RN

NUR 3240

February 9, 2020

Honor Code “I pledge..”

 Reflections on the Catholic Health Ministry

To truly understand something you must fully immerse yourself in it, reject any

preconceived biases, and be open to learning without making judgments. This was the journey

Iwas presented with last summer, and have now been working through over the last seven

months. Despite my personal faith and self-proclaimed agnostic status, I remain a very spiritual

person with an inquisitive outlook into all types of religions. I have learned that I unintentionally

held many biases and stereotypes in regard to the Catholic Health Ministry. Now that I have

experienced it for myself, I am better situated to share my understanding and take part in

disproving those same myths I once believed.

My overall knowledge of the Catholic Health Ministry has proven to be severely lacking.

I held many false beliefs and myths; preconceived notions about what religion-based healthcare

facilities supported and required of their employees. I used to believe that you needed to be

Catholic, or would have to follow and promote Catholic practices, in order to work for the

Catholic Health Ministry. I had developed visions of required prayers and worship activities that

nurses would be required to participate in with their patients as routine daily care tasks.

I thought that one of the highest priorities of the Catholic Health Ministry would be to

require its staff to spread the word of Jesus above all else. I have since learned that it is not about

spreading the word of Jesus, but about continuing on and carrying out the overall goals of his

mission: to spread love and aid in healing, to all people.

Though it may sound silly, and even a bit extreme, these were the initial biases I had

developed about the Catholic Health Ministry due to a pure lack of knowledge. I now know that I

did not fully understand much at all about the Catholic Health Ministry before beginning my
career at Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center and choosing to further my education at the

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing.

In order for me to meet the Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing program outcome

of “practice empathetic caring within the framework of the Catholic Health Ministry”, I will

need access to resources that will help me learn and cultivate an understanding of the ministry’s

framework. I feel that I have already gained an invaluable insight into this framework through

my learning about servant leadership and expanding my knowledge of the Catholic Health

Ministry through the Catholic Health Association of the United States’ website.

Since I have been working for the Bon Secours Mercy Health System, I have developed a

much more realistic understanding of and strong appreciation for the Catholic Health Ministry. I

can truly see how much this system works every day to give back to the community that it

serves; the community we live in. This realization constantly reinforces my decision to leave the

for-profit healthcare system I had been working for over the last 9 years. I can physically feel the

difference in the atmosphere and energy of my hospital; from brief encounters with strangers in

the halls, to the relationships I have developed with my co-workers and other providers

throughout the facility. Even in the types of employee education items that are regarded with

such importance by the ministry, specifically “Called to Serve'', I can now see how important the

mission and values are to the Bon Secours Mercy Health System, as just a small piece of the

Catholic Health Ministry.

Now that I am aware of the ministry healthcare commitments, I can see how these are

tied to so many parts of the nursing care that I provide every day. “Act on Behalf of Justice” is

one commitment that is very near and dear to my heart, as I have worked extremely hard over the

years to overcome personal obstacles (specifically shyness, and the need to please everyone) in
an effort to become a strong, supportive advocate for my patients. I can now support my patients

to speak up for what they want and believe, without fear of being reprimanded or disliked. I am

also not afraid to be the first person to announce or stop something if there has been a mistake; a

skill that was especially important when working in sterile environments.

Another one of the ministry healthcare commitments that I believe in and practice every

day is to “Care for Poor and Vulnerable Persons.” The skilled, intentional, and compassionate

nursing care that I provide is consistent for all of my patients. It does not change from patient to

patient, nor is it based on their title, income, or level of education. I believe everyone deserves

equal respect and high quality healthcare, especially in vulnerable times of illness and fear,

which I strongly feel aligns with this specific commitment.

The Shared Statement of Identity from the Catholic Health Ministry is a brief summation

of what I have been experiencing over the last seven months. So many people, from various

religious and cultural backgrounds, working together to make significant differences in the lives

of our patients; regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, financial status,

history, or criminal background. This statement reinforces and encourages the nursing practices

that I have cultivated since I entered the profession in 2010.

I have found that working for the Catholic Health Ministry has increased my knowledge

and awareness of the Catholic religion, and cleared some myths that I previously held as well. I

also believe that this environment has strengthened my own spirituality and beliefs, which allows

me to be more open to caring for my patients in a holistic approach no matter what their faith

may be. I am proud to be a part of the Catholic Health Ministry, and look forward to enriching

the lives of our patients and their families every opportunity I can.