Christian Science nursing is both a profession and ministry. Christian Science nurses have a deep love for humanity and God that motivates their work. They bring comfort and encouragement to those seeking healing, and they exercise spiritual discernment and judgment in their care for the sick.
The Christian Science Nursing Activities office at The Mother Church supports those who are interested in becoming a Christian Science nurse. If you are considering this ministry and want to learn more about it, you might begin by looking at the information below. You should also feel free to contact our office at csnursing@csps.com or call 617-450-2685.
Where do I start?
The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures are foundational for the Christian Science nurse. Becoming well acquainted with the Bible, including the teachings of Christ Jesus, as well as Mary Baker Eddy's writings, gives you the best guidance for your own prayers and study in establishing a Christian Science nursing practice. We encourage your particular consideration of the following:
Christian Science Nurse (Manual, Art. Vlll, Sect. 31)
The New Commandment (John 13:34)
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Aids in sickness (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pg. 395)
Where can I study to be a Christian Science nurse?
At a Christian Science nursing facility/training school or in the field. The curriculum includes classroom study, practicums, and individualized side-by-side mentoring.
What is included in the training?
Training includes all aspects of Christian Science nursing including its spiritual foundation, ethics, and skills (personal care and bathing, mobility, cleansing and bandaging, nourishment, and more — see the Christian Science Nurse Scope of Services (below) for further details). It prepares individuals to work in a variety of settings including homes, camps, schools, and Christian Science nursing facilities, and includes aspects of managing an individual practice, supervision and leadership, and instructing others.
How long does it take to complete the training?
The full course of study generally takes a minimum of 2-3 years. The classroom study and practicum timeframe is fairly predictable, but the side-by-side mentoring portion of the program is much more individual. How long it takes to gain the needed experience can vary quite a bit depending on how quickly the individual achieves competence in each skill area, and on the care setting. For instance, facilities have several patients, often with different care needs, in one place at one time, whereas in home care the Christian Science nurse is ministering to one individual at a time.
Can I complete the training online?
Some training schools may offer a modest portion of the class study online. However, the nature of this work requires in person practicum and side-by-side mentoring of most subjects. Please contact the training school for more information.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes. You can get information about financial assistance directly from each training program or facility.
North America
Arden Wood
San Francisco, CA
Website: https://www.ardenwood.org/services/christian-science-nursing-arts-training/
Beacon Haven
New Brighton, MN
Website: https://beaconhaven.org/education/
*Broadview
Los Angeles, CA
Website: https://www.csbroadview.org/education/
*Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association
Chestnut Hill, MA
Website: https://www.chbenevolent.org/christian-science-nurses-training-school/course-descriptions
*Fern Lodge
Castro Valley, CA
Website: https://fernlodge.org/csntraining/
*Glenmont
Hilliard, OH
Website: https://www.glenmontcsn.com/csn-education/
The Leaves
Richardson, TX
Website: https://www.theleaves.org/christian-science-nurses-training
Peace Haven
St. Louis, MO
Website: https://www.peacehavenassociation.org/csna-overview
Sunland Home
Encinitas, CA
Website: https://www.sunland.org/
Sunrise Haven
Kent, WA
Website: https://sunrisehaven.org/christian-science-nurses-training/
Wide Horizon
Wheatridge, CO
Website: https://www.widehorizon.org/training/
Europe:
*Lime Tree House
Sale, Cheshire, UK
Website: https://www.limetreehouse.org.uk/lime-tree-house-christian-science-nurse-training-program/
*Le Verger
Bursins, Switzerland
Languages: English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish
Website: https://www.leverger.ch/en/education-nursing
*Offers the complete curriculum at one location. Other organizations may arrange for participants to travel to another location for some of the classroom portion of the program.
Each of these organizations is accredited by The Commission for Accreditation of Christian Science Nursing Organizations/Facilities, Inc.
The Mother Church offers this list for information purposes, and does not endorse any particular training organization or program.
Individual Church members who are already being called upon to care for others in their homes may request an experienced Christian Science nurse to mentor them in the field. This side-by-side mentoring may be offered as needed to support an individual case, or it may be part of a complete curriculum which includes classroom study and practicums.
Le Verger – provides training and mentoring in the field, worldwide (including in the USA)
Based in Bursins, Switzerland
Languages: English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish
Website: https://www.leverger.ch/en/education-nursing
Accredited by The Commission for Accreditation of Christian Science Nursing Organizations/Facilities, Inc.
The Mother Church offers this for information purposes, and does not endorse any particular training organization or program.
If I’m already a Christian Science nurse, how might I advertise in The Christian Science Journal Directory?
Here are the requirements for advertising:
Membership in The Mother Church
Primary class instruction with an authorized teacher of Christian Science
A demonstrated practice of Christian Science in one's own life, based on deep study of the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy
A demonstrated practice in a wide range of Christian Science nursing skills and a high standard of ethics (in most cases, completion of Levels I-IV training in a recognized Christian Science nurses training program)
Substantial practical experience in caring for a variety of patients (in most cases, completion of the required mentoring following Levels I-IV of this training)
Demonstrated readiness and availability to respond to calls for Christian Science nursing care, including:
An understanding of the prayerful, ethical and practical aspects for accepting cases
Experience in making decisions and providing care in a home environment
A confidential means by which a patient can request your assistance
Professional charges and billing system
Three references from experienced Christian Science nurses who can attest to your Christian Science nursing work.
If you have recently completed training, these references should be:
The Director of Christian Science Nursing at the facility where you are working
The Director of the School from which you have completed Level IV of your training
Your primary mentor
If your training was completed some years ago, or if for some other reason your preparation has not included completion of Levels I-IV of a recognized Christian Science nurses training program, please contact us at csnursing@csps.com for help in determining the most appropriate references to support your application.
If you have questions please contact csnursing@csps.com.
Apply online to advertise as a Christian Science nurse
Becoming a Journal-listed Christian Science nurse adds your name to the ranks of those whose devotion to God and commitment to healing overflows in inspired, practical acts of caring. Speaking to each one of us, Mary Baker Eddy writes: "I make strong demands on love, call for active witnesses to prove it, and noble sacrifices and grand achievements as its results. ... Love cannot be a mere abstraction, or goodness without activity and power." (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 250).
You will find the application form below. Please be sure each of your references is aware of your application and feels prepared to verify your qualifications. You’re welcome to be in touch with us at any time (see email address below).
Christian Science Nursing Activities
210 Massachusetts Ave P07-10
Boston MA 02115
csnursing@csps.com
617-450-2685
Use our Online application to apply
Scope of Services
Below are links to download a PDF of the Christian Science Nurse Scope of Services. This Scope of Services is intended to clarify for patients and other interested persons what they may expect when engaging the services of a Christian Science nurse. It touches briefly on the main aspects of, and ethical considerations related to, those services.
Christian Science nurses and organizations that provide and facilitate Christian Science nursing may include this document on their websites embedded as a pdf, or they may provide a link to this webpage. We ask that the document not be excerpted, nor cut and pasted, nor used except in its full original form (which includes the letterhead.) (Note: there are exceptions for use by Christian Science nursing facilities. Please contact us.)
For more information please write the office of Christian Science Nursing Activities at csnursing@csps.com or call 617-450-2685.