LGBT Care
We received a variety of responses to Compassionately Caring for LGBT Persons in Your Faith Community (October/December, 29:4, pp. 208-214) by Sarah Sanders. As editor, I knew it was a risk to write on this topic. The following responses came in to the NCF Nurses Blog:
"I am delighted to see the issue being addressed by NCF. I worked with AIDS patients in the mid-80s and my father gave me great advice: Do not change your values, do not impose your values-do the best job you can as a nurse. When we truly reach out to others with unconditional love, our own lives are changed and enhanced forever."
"I am disappointed in the article. Much of it is what I have read in liberal theological articles on the subject. As a nurse I have had much contact with LGBT people and have always treated them with respect. I have followed the philosophy of loving the sinner but hating the sin."
"I did not even want to read the article as soon as I read the title. I have treated all my patients the same regardless of who they are. I'm nursing the person not their lifestyle but in the same token I do not approve of it. I do not have a condemning attitude but try to reach out. Let us be careful not to compromise our beliefs and not use nursing as a cloak to condone their lifestyle."
"I appreciated the article and found it to be informative. Treating patients with respect and letting our actions be the Gospel, may go farther in reaching them than any words we use, scriptural or otherwise."
An upset reader wanted JCN to mention resources to help lebisan, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons "be freed from the oppression of sexual sin." We did not for two reasons:
(1) The point of the article wasn't about changing a patient's sexual identity; it was about understanding people who are gay and their health concerns. As nurses, we can recommend resources for patients who want information in the context of an established relationship.
(2) We wanted to be sensitive and reach out to the gay community with Christ's love and not give a typical approach they often hear from Christians, so we did not include resources for dealing with homosexuality.
Our journey in LGBT care continues. How about yours? Share your thoughts on the JCN blog, "In the Light" at http://journalofchristiannursing.com.
JCN Now on the iPad
JCN and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins are excited to offer NCF members and all journal subscribers access to JCN on the iPad! Download the new iPad app from http://journalofchristiannursing.com or at the iTunes store. When new issues release, you'll automatically be notified and able to download and read on your iPad. You can archive issues to access later at your convenience.
With live interactive features, the JCN app allows reader to instantly view supplemental digital content, email feedback to us, take continuing education tests online, and more. The iPad app will be free for a period of time so share it with friends who you want to introduce to JCN!
Don't Have an iPad?
Download the free Journals@LWW app for your iPhone in the iTunes store. The app allows you to view the table of contents for all of your favorite Lippincott journals, including JCN. Within the app you can access and read all free content as well as log in just like you do on the web for all other articles.
Coming soon in JCN
* Religious Psychotherapy for Depression in Chronic Medical Illness
* Photovoice as a Teaching Strategy in Nursing Education
* Made in the Image of God: Implications for Practice
* The Humbled Expert: Spiritual Care Practices of Inpatient Palliative Care Nurse Consultants
* Religion and Diabetes Adherence
IMPORTANT NOTICE: We love feedback and receiving your letters! Write to us at [email protected]. In order to publish your letter in JCN, you must complete a Copyright Transfer Form (CTA). Find the form at http://www.editorialmanager.com/ncf-jcn/ Click on "Copyright Transfer PDF." Complete and email the CTA to [email protected] with your letter; email or call 608.846.8560 for assistance.