Nursing dean addresses students

The College of Nursing Dean addressed students and faculty yesterday in the Education in Zion gallery on the topic of the Healer’s Art.

Patricia Ravert spoke on this subject because not only is it a principle of the nursing program, as well as the name of the nursing exhibit in the gallery.

Ravert shared three short stories showing how she has learned the healer’s art over her career. She explained that the discipline of nursing is both an art and a science.

In her first story, she talked about caring for an elderly gentleman when she was a young nurse. She was very inexperienced, and accidentally spiled the man’s bath water all over him. She was quite embarassed, but the man looked up at her and told her that he knew she was going to be a great nurse someday.

This moment helped her realize that learning the healer’s art doens’t happen overnight. But, it takes time, persistence, and learning, she said.

She shared another story emphasizing the importance of knowing individuals and their uniqueness. She explained that this can determine their treatments and their healing process.

“Look and know your resources,” Ravert said.

Each person is different and as a nurse, it’s important to use various techniques, she said.

In her last story, she shared an emotional experience about losing a newborn baby and the interaction she had with the family who were of Asian origin, and did not speak hardly any English. She was able to allow them to have their last hours with the deceased baby to perfrom religious ceremonies before the baby had to be taken to the morgue.

Through this experience she learned the importance of having the Spirit with her to be an instrument in the Lord’s hands.

“The healer’s art encompasses much more than knowledge and skills,” Ravert said.

She explained that being sensitive was necessary in order to truly master the healer’s art, and also being in tune with the Spirit to know how to handle certain situations and circumstances.

Lauren Moffitt, a senior nursing student from Orem, Utah, enjoyed the talk Dr. Ravert gave.

“We need to step back and have an eternal perspective,” she said.

She said that she appreciates being at BYU for the reason that she is able to incorporate the gospel into her studies. She explained that being a nurse involves being able to recognize that patients are children of God, and need to be treated as such.

Melissa Monroe, a senior nursing student from Kent, Wash., was touched most by Dr. Ravert’s remarks about being in touch with the Spirit.

“She really emphasized being there for the patient and being the Lord’s instrument…using the Spirit to help people heal, in the true sense of the word,” Monroe said.