The Christian Science visiting nurse program provides spiritual reassurance and skilled, practical physical care for individuals relying on prayer treatment also known as Christian Science nursing or CSN. The CHBNS responds to calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to serve adults and children who are in need of healing and loving assistance with their care. Visiting nurses travel to homes and other locations throughout the world to support healing, whether it is for a short visit or extended stay.
A Christian Science nurse is trained in the art of expressing the spiritual qualities that Mrs. Eddy specifies in her writings — ethical behavior, sound judgment, and practical skills that support loving care. The training program is offered at Arden Wood and includes classroom instruction as well as a side-by-side mentored nursing experience with patients in one of our facilities. The full course of study generally takes a minimum of 2-3 years, from beginning to end.
In addition to the CHBNS’ specialized Christian Science care, the BA also operates a Christian Science nursing arts training school at its Arden Wood campus in Wisconsin. The CSNA training program provides comprehensive, in-depth study of the principles, ethics, and practical skills that are the foundation of Christian Science nursing. The training is open to dedicated members of The Mother Church who feel called to this holy ministry. The program prepares the student for an active practice in this spiritual ministry and to meet the requirements of the Church Manual By-law, “Christian Science nurse — a member of The Mother Church who has a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice and thoroughly understands the practical wisdom necessary to the sick room.”
The Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association’s Christian Science nursing service is ready to support healing wherever it is needed. Regardless of the time of day or the location, our visiting Christian Science nurses promptly and tenderly minister to adults and children who are in need of healing or loving assistance with their care.
Nursing at Canterbury Crest
The Canterbury Crest model is designed to make Christian Science nursing available in local church communities across the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska and Hawaii. Nursing is offered at both the facility and in home care, which requires the nurse to travel to each patient’s home and provides a more intimate opportunity for one-on-one nursing and mentoring.
Nursing at the CHBNS
The CHBNS offers a variety of patient/mentoring opportunities for Christian Science nurses, many of whom are working toward a CSNA certificate. These individualized, hands-on experiences provide the nurse with thorough preparation and practice in the many different types of care settings that exist. The CHBNS encourages its nurses to work up to 7-days a month at the facility, as this is a critical aspect of their mentoring and preparation for the field.
The first International Christian Science Nursing Conference was held in 1994 and organized by Betty Miller, Esther Joscelyn, Joye Broughton, Katherine Pennington, and Ann Voges. Its success led to the creation of Vision Now!, an interactive website for Christian Science nurses, to allow them to share their experiences and support each other in this vital ministry.