Christian Nursing Schools

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Nurses are the foundation that the medical field is built on. Doctors, psychiatrists, surgeons, and all of the above are essential, of course, but nurses are the ones who make up the majority of the field of medicine, do the grunt work, take care of patients before, during, and after procedures, and work with the patients and families during all parts of their visit (good and bad). Nursing is a demanding field, but the reward and lives saved cannot be overstated.

Getting a nursing degree from a Christian college combines the natural desire to care for and love others with the one who instilled it in us. A Christian college weaves science, theology, and medicine together in educating future nurses, allowing your professional development and spiritual development to happen simultaneously. The environment at a Christian college for those who choose to major in nursing encourages excellence in nursing as it puts into practice being the hands and feet of Jesus and loving others.

List of potential careers for those who choose to major in nursing:

• Licensed Practicing Nurse: Licensed practicing nurses (LPN or LVN in some states) are a licensed healthcare professional who cares for patients under the supervision of a registered nurse or doctor. LPNs provide basic nursing care, monitor patients’ vital signs, administers some medications, and collect information. Their scope of care is limited compared to registered nurses, whose training program is longer and more extensive.
• Registered Nurse: A registered nurse is a licensed healthcare professional who works directly with patients and doctors to deliver the best hands-on care needed for healing and wellness. Registered nurses monitor and assess patients’ condition, recovery, and progress and work with them and their families to educate them about managing their illness, taking medication, or keeping healthy. They also administer medication and often work with multiple patients in a single shift. Working locations include hospitals, clinics, community health organizations, and schools.
• Neonatal Nurse: Neonatal nurses are registered nurses who work in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), working with babies who are premature, ill, or have serious medical complications. Neonatal nurses care for these babies, performing tasks such as bathing, feeding, monitoring vital signs, administering medication, and working with specialized equipment. They work closely with doctors, specialists, neonatologists, and families to care for and provide support at a critical time.
• Emergency Room (ER) Nurse: Emergency room (ER) nurses are registered nurses who provide immediate and emergency care to patients with critical conditions, injuries, illnesses, or life-threatening circumstances. They work quickly and confidently under pressure, assess patients’ conditions, quickly give treatment, and administer medication or start IVs when needed. ER nurses work closely with doctors, paramedics, and patients’ families in order to provide the best and most efficient care.
• Dialysis Nurse: A Dialysis nurse is a registered nurse who works with patients with chronic kidney disease or kidney failure. They care for patients before, during, and after treatments, operate dialysis equipment, administer the treatment, monitor vital signs, and ensure everything is done safely. Dialysis nurses may also educate patients and family members about dialysis medication, care, and how to stay healthy.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, based on a survey done of the graduating class of 2022, 96% of those who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing were employed within 4-6 months of receiving their nursing degree. While the average salary varies between the different kinds of nurses, the average salary for Registered Nurses is around $93,600. The competitive salary coupled with such high placement rates make a nursing degree popular and highly rewarding. So, what should you do while still in college to give yourself the best chance of succeeding with a nursing degree?

The first step is to treat each class as preparation for not just your career, but for the NCLEX test, which is the certification test for nursing. You’ll need to pass this test to practice as any kind of nurse, with additional certifications/registration/licensing for more specific fields of nursing. Having an idea of what kind of nursing you want to go into and directing your classes and learning in that direction will be beneficial, but building a strong foundation of basic nursing knowledge is essential. Your academics aren’t just about passing classes—it’s about being prepared to save lives.

Clinicals are a required part of nursing degree programs that teach you the necessary skills and expectations for nurses. You’ll be monitored by current nurses and staff at a hospital or medical facility, where you’ll be given the chance to learn hands-on how your education is put into action. Use clinical wisely; don’t just watch, ask to do skills that you’re learning, ask questions of those supervising you, and practice communicating and reporting with the nurses supervising you. Be intentional about getting the most out of the experience to take with you into the workplace.

Internships are also important, as they provide experience working in a medical facility or hospital, though you may not be able to intern as a nurse. Interning, or even volunteering, in the healthcare field while you’re working toward your nursing degree is a great way to make contacts within the field and to make yourself comfortable in a hospital environment and working with the equipment. Network and make connections with nurses and hospital staff that you interact with during your internships/volunteering/clinicals. These connections can be great references for future potential employers, or they could be someone who refers you for a job opening they know about.

Nursing is an incredibly demanding field, both physically and mentally. Patience, resilience, and emotional strength are key components to success for nurses. Being able to function well under stress and pressure are necessary, as is being able to cope with loss or suffering in patients. Keeping a cool head when faced with high-stress emergencies and difficult patients alike is required. Compassion and empathy go a long way in creating a safe space for patients in a hospital or clinic. Situations and conditions in a hospital change constantly, so you’ll need to be quick on your feet and flexible, able to move between tasks without missing a beat. Communication is key, as you’ll be working with doctors, patients, and other nurses and will need to know how to report and understand information quickly. Someone with a strong combination of these characteristics will be well suited to a career in a hospital or putting their nursing degree to work in ministry.

Work Cited:

• “2023 Employment Research Brief.” American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2023, www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/research-data-center/new-graduate-employment-data.
• Srakocic, Stephanie. “How Much Can I Earn with a BSN?” All Nursing Schools, 3 Oct. 2025, www.allnursingschools.com/bsn/salary/.

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (NIV)

Luke 10:34
“He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.” (NIV)

A nursing degree can be used in multiple ways in ministry and in the church. Many churches use nurses to run free clinics, blood pressure checks, health programs/fairs, or for mental health education to give not just congregants, but the local community a chance to learn how to care for their bodies while showing them the love of God. Additionally, someone with a nursing degree can help care for others in the congregation or community who have a hard time getting healthcare or caring for themselves, taking a front-line approach to caring for the “least of these.”

A nursing degree can also be used in ministry, locally or internationally. Nurses are so valuable for mission trips, especially ones that provide aid or disaster relief, as they are able not only to witness to others about the gospel, but also to help with medical issues and healing. Missionary roles are also available to nurses, who can enter countries as a member of the medical field, while bringing the restoring, healing truth of the Word of God with them to share with any who will hear. Nursing offers a tangible way to show the gentleness, compassion, and love of God in us, and those with a nursing degree are able to live that out in their church community, in a ministry, or even as missionaries in another country.

A career with a nursing degree is full of life changing and saving moments, whether working in a hospital or in ministry. If you are intensely compassionate, cool under pressure, quick on your feet, a strong communicator, and have a desire to care for others, then perhaps the Lord is calling you to pursue a nursing degree.