HEALING ON THE FRONTLINE: AGAPE NURSING MODEL by Nancy Eckerd RN, MS and Becky Le RN, PhD
The Agape Nursing Model
T
he nurse plays a unique and powerful role in the patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Not only is the nurse called to serve every patient in every situation, but the nurse is called to serve the nations. The nursing profession is a mission of Christ. In order to impact the patient through Christ-centered holistic care, the nurse must first surrender to the Lord. From full surrender, the nurse will utilize individual spiritual gifts, prayer, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Only then will the nurse reflect the Fruit of the Spirit at the point of care, changing lives for eternity. Nurses currently serving on the frontlines of the COVID -19 battle have been described as healthcare heroes for their amazing acts of sacrifice and service during this tragic and unprecedented time. Even new nursing school graduates have found themselves in the middle of chaos, where sorrowful casualties have been experienced. Unfortunately, there has been much grief with the current pandemic, but there is also healing and hope to be found in the midst of this chaos. COVID-19 is God’s battle and there is a way to be prepared. Understanding the Agape Nursing Model allows a framework for grasping the steps needed to fulfill your calling, and to provide your patient with the best possible holistic healthcare. Application of the Agape Nursing Model to practice, will bring grace and healing to the frontline. According to the Gallup poll, the nurse has been considered the most trusted profession for the last eighteen years (Gallop, 2020). With honesty and trust as our benchmark, the nurse has limitless opportunities to minister to the patient. As a matter of fact, the spirit-filled nurse is an evangelist and healthcare disciple. This is a powerful combination where not only patient outcomes are improved, but miracles and healings can and often do happen (Mauk & Hobus, 2020). Following the Agape Nursing Model below, the patient will experience the love of Christ through your actions, words and deeds: The Agape Nursing Model is based on the application of the kingdom nursing concept which is “Focused, dynamic patient-centered care, inspired by the qualities of Christ and influenced by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the
nurse" (Eckerd, 2015, p.253). Emulating the agape love of Christ serves to lift the fallen, restore the broken, heal the hurting, and love the unlovely by being the earthly hands and feet of Christ. While other models focus on the spiritual position of the patient, the Agape Nursing Model focuses on the character of the nurse and provides a framework for fulfilling your call to serve others humbly with love (Eckerd, 2018). Further, the model provides for the quality assurance principle found in 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
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