Nursing is one of the most popular medical careers and also one of the most in-demand. Nurses wake up early each morning and work busy, hectic shifts, which sometimes end late at night. The job itself is no small feat—as a nurse, so many lives rest on their gloved hands, and oftentimes, it’s only medical professionals like a nurse who stands between them and the grave. So many people rely on them to give the right medication, perform meticulous monitoring, provide regular updates and communication between doctors, and all while also assisting patients with regular activities like eating, going to the bathroom, showering, and other things they need help with. Despite all this difficult work, they’re often underappreciated and don’t get enough credit for their hard work or nearly enough money. Being a nurse can be a challenging career, but what matters most is that we stay true to our mission to heal the sick and care for those who need us. Talk to the Lord through this nurse’s prayer before work and ask Him to give us guidance and strength as we start the day’s work.
Nurses prayer
Our Great Healer from Above,
Your limitless grace continues to sufficiently sustain me day by day, and not once have You failed me despite my shortcomings. Because of You, I am where I am now: I am a nurse, and through me, You are able to extend the miracles of healing, comfort, and good health to the sick and the ailing.
Forgive me for the times when I failed You, for the times when I questioned Your plans for me and Your presence in my life. I may not know what the future holds, but I place my trust in You, my omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent God.
My tongue cannot express the sheer gratefulness I feel knowing that I am blessed to be where I am now. From the moment I entered nursing school up to my daily tasks now, You’ve been by my side, guiding me every step of the way. May You continue to guide me now that I am a fully-fledged nurse. I pray that my hands will bring healing to the sick and comfort to the dying. I pray that I will make the right choices for them and that I will stay strong and focused for my patients. Their lives are in my hands, so I pray that You will grant me the wisdom I need to take care of them.
This I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Short nurses prayer before duty
Heavenly Father, as I put on my gloves and scrubs, I offer this nurse’s prayer to You. I pray for strength, focus, and motivation. The shift ahead may be tiresome, but I have nothing to feel anxious about because I know You will guide me in times of stress and pressure. At the end of the day, may my patients see progress, and may we all have something to smile about. Amen.
The Word of God
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’
Luke 10:30-35 NRSVUE
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NRSVUE
Intercessory prayer to Saint Camillus de Lellis
Blessed Saint Camillus, compassionate and caring,
You have faithfully bestowed your wisdom upon caregivers, physicians, and nurses like me and guided many hands to heal the ailing bodies of the sick and the diseased.
What I do for a living is far from easy, but I know that it is a noble job. I am often exhausted, burnt out, and stressed, but what really gives me strength and keeps me going is my passion for helping others, as well as the love and sense of fulfillment that overflows from my heart whenever I see my patients’ progress, their healing, and their comfort. May I be reminded of my great purpose and duty whenever I feel like giving up. There is no greater joy in life than for You to fill me with the Holy Spirit and have me spread genuine love and kindness to the people around me.
Bless the work of my hands and pray for the patients they care for. May these weary hands continue to apply a soothing balm to those who are suffering from sickness and bring them back to health. I myself nor the doctors cannot heal them alone; it is only through God’s power and guidance that I can properly take care of the patients under my responsibility, and it is only through His grace and mercy that they can fully recover from their sicknesses and diseases.
Saint Camillus, I ask for your prayers and guidance as I prepare myself for another shift at work. I pray that I will remain careful when dealing with critical illnesses and that I will stay focused throughout the day. Although I am tired, I pray for clarity of mind whenever I am doing my job.
Bless my coworkers and fellow nurses. I pray that they have a warm family to come home to each day and plenty of rest and comfort at night. I pray that they will never lose sight of the reason why we are all here: to be Your healing hands that will reach out to the sick, the suffering, and the dying. When we pick up our sterile gloves, may we remember the hardships the patients went through to get here. When we put on our scrubs and protective wear, may we be reminded of our mission to serve and help.
One day, I know that I will look back on my career and be grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to help others and, in turn, grow and develop my own person as I regularly exercise compassion and care.
Saint Camillus, pray for me. Amen.
Further reflection
We have all felt anxious before work, especially if our job involves people’s health and well-being. Being a medical professional, especially a nurse, can be overwhelming because other people’s lives are on the line. We spent years in school and training before we became a nurse, and even then, we never stopped learning from experience. Although this career can be rewarding and fulfilling, carrying the weight of responsibility and duty can be exhausting, too. There may even be days when we dread going to work because of the tiresome workload and because there is not enough time to spend with our loved ones and for our own self-care.
Whenever we have a shift ahead, take a few minutes to sit down comfortably and ask for the Lord’s wisdom. Ask Him to guide our hands and put our minds at ease before we take care of others. Ask Him for energy and for a day full of healing and happy recoveries, and He will bless us generously.
