Christian Science Nursing Arts Training Course Description

Spiritual Foundation

The foundation for Christian Science nursing is securely established in the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. The standard for representing oneself as a Christian Science nurse is set forth by Mrs. Eddy in the Church Manual By-law (Article VIII, Sect. 31):

“Christian Science Nurse. Sect. 31. A member of The Mother Church who represents himself or herself as a Christian Science nurse shall be one who has a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice, who thoroughly understands the practical wisdom necessary in a sick room, and who can take proper care of the sick.

The cards of such persons may be inserted in The Christian Science Journalunder rules established by the publishers.”

This By-law is a deep spiritual guide to the members of The Mother Church. For individuals preparing to represent themselves as a Christian Science nurse, prayerful consideration and a spiritual understanding of the requirements Mrs. Eddy established in this By-law are essential.

The Christian Science Nursing Arts (CSNA) Training Program is offered in support of dedicated members of The Mother Church as they meet the requirements of this Church Manual By-law and demonstrate the expression of the qualities of the Christian Science nurse that Mrs. Eddy specifies (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, 395:17–20). In the classroom and in mentored instruction, Christian Science nursing arts – including ethics, sound judgment, and practical skills in support of loving care – are taught and practiced on this foundation. The mentored portion of the course follows each classroom segment to support demonstrating the art of Christian Science nursing with a depth and breadth of practice reflective of divine Truth and Love. The CSNA training supports the individual in learning the art of ministering to one’s neighbor and his needs with this Christ Science.

For more information about the program or upcoming classes, or to request an application, please contact our CSNA Registrar at (415) 379-2220 or email us here.

The CSNA Training Program includes the following four courses to support learning and demonstrating the art of Christian Science nursing:

Christian Science Nursing Arts I: Introductory Christian Science Nursing Arts (CSNA I)
4 weeks in the classroom followed by 6 weeks of mentored instruction
Christian Science Nursing Arts II: Basic Christian Science Nursing Arts (CSNA II)
5 weeks in the classroom followed by 7 to 8 months of mentored instruction
Christian Science Nursing Arts III: Advanced Christian Science Nursing Arts (CSNA III)
5 weeks in the classroom followed by 7 to 8 months of mentored instruction
Christian Science Nursing Arts IV: Supervisory Christian Science Nursing Arts (CSNA IV)
4 weeks in the classroom followed by 6 months of mentored instruction

Description of CSNA courses included in the CSNA Training Program

The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy are the textbooks for instruction in Christian Science nursing. These along with the Church Manual and other writings by Mrs. Eddy guide members of The Mother Church in this holy work. The teachings of Christian Science, including the Church Manual By-law “Christian Science Nurse,” and the qualities of the nurse specified by Mrs. Eddy (in Science and Health) are foundational to and embraced by the CSNA training. The CSNA Training Program consists of four courses that address the art of Christian Science nursing both in the classroom and with the support of mentoring in this spiritual ministry.

CSNA I: Introductory Christian Science Nursing Arts

The CSNA I course addresses the spiritual ministry of Christian Science nursing and its role in and support for healing. Ethics, sound judgment and the art of Christian Science nursing are taught along with the expression of spiritual qualities essential for ministering to the patient. Practical skills are taught in support of providing light assistance with care regarding the needs of nourishment, cleanliness, comfort, mobility, communication, rest, and surroundings.

CSNA II: Basic Christian Science Nursing Arts

This healing ministry continues to be addressed in the CSNA II course including continuing to deepen and broaden one’s understanding and work with spiritual qualities, ethics, sound judgment, and the art of ministering to the patient and his needs. Practical skills are taught in support of providing up to full assistance with care in ministering to the patient and the needs of cleanliness, comfort, communication, rest, activity and mobility, nourishment and surroundings. The CSNA II course addresses ministering to others in support of healing both in the refuge of a Christian Science facility and home settings.

CSNA II continues to address the standard of excellence and spiritual-mindedness needed for the practice of Christian Science nursing. The requirement for a “demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice” remains essential to the individual’s preparation for and representation in Christian Science nursing.

CSNA III: Advanced Christian Science Nursing Arts

This spiritual ministry continues to be addressed in the CSNA III course with a more expanded embrace of ethics and the art of Christian Science nursing for ministering to the patient and his needs of cleanliness, comfort, communication, rest, activity and mobility, nourishment, and his surroundings. Practical skills continue to be taught in support of loving care in ministering to the patient and his needs.

This course also addresses sound ethics, the art of Christian Science nursing, and practical skills for cleansing and bandaging. The course brings focused attention to Christian Science nursing arts, ethics, judgment, and care in responding to the needs of children and continuing to minister to one’s fellowman in various settings. The CSNA III course continues to address the standard of excellence needed for the practice of Christian Science nursing. Strong demands are made on the Christian Science nurse for “a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice” in the continued preparation for and ministry of Christian Science nursing.

CSNA IV: Supervisory Christian Science Nursing Arts

Christian Science nurses continue to work with the art of Christian Science nursing for a healing ministry as they go forward in the CSNA IV course. As in all of the Christian Science Nursing Arts courses, CSNA IV addresses the art of ministering to the patient and his needs with a genuine practice of Christian Science. A strong focus in this course is given to spiritual qualities, ethics, judgment, and skills in support of overseeing care in this spiritual ministry. It addresses preparation for roles and responsibilities of management and oversight in the various avenues and settings embraced by Christian Science nursing, along with a continued emphasis on a readiness to respond to the needs of all mankind in one’s individual practice. Strong demands continue to be made on the Christian Science nurse for “a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice” in the preparation for and representation in Christian Science nursing. CSNA IV addresses the demonstrated readiness called for in representing oneself as a Christian Science nurse.

Classroom and Mentored Instruction

Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association (BA), Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, offers classroom instruction for all four of the classes as described here.

Arden Wood offers classroom instruction for the CSNA I & II classes, as described here. At this time, our Christian Science nurses in training take their CSNA III and IV classes at the BA, and return to Arden Wood for their mentoring period. In reviewing applications for courses, we give consideration to the specific avenue chosen for the mentored instruction period that is to be included in each course.