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Christian Science nurses offer skilled physical assistance to individuals while relying on Christian Science treatment as a means of healing. Christian Science nurses create an atmosphere of healing, including basic care, such as bandaging wounds, preparing meals and helping individuals with daily activities. Christian Science nurses do not provide any sort of physical therapy or medical treatment, and do not administer drugs.

Training or education requirements

There is some debate about the use of the term "nurse" when referring to a Christian Science nurse, as the designation does not require a nursing degree. Many students take courses in Christian Science facilities, where they also receive side-by-side mentoring. Some might offer Christian Science nurse training online.

Some facilities offer beginning classes and then refer the student to other facilities for further education. In most cases, the training a Christian Science nurse receives is equivalent to that of a certified nursing assistant. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nursing aides are trained in personal care skills. This training can last anywhere from a few days to a few months. Aides who complete a minimum of 75 hours of state-approved training and pass a competency evaluation can become certified nurse assistants.

Christian Science nurse salary

According to Salary.com, the average income of a certified nursing assistant was $28,227. The BLS offered numbers a bit lower, reporting a mean annual wage of $25,140 for nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants in 2010. The lowest 10th percentile earned $17,790, while the highest 10th percentile earned $34,580.

Simply Hired found the average income of all jobs listing Christian Science nurse in the description was $37,000. According to the Christian Science website, Christian Science nurses can set their own rates, and patients are encouraged to discuss payment options with their Christian Science nurse.

Career outlook: Where the jobs are

Christian Science nurses are often employed by small, dedicated facilities that offer outpatient care, inpatient services, respite care, home visits, and "rest and study" rooms for those who are not in need of medical attention. Some Christian Science nurses serve as traveling caregivers and provide care to those who can't visit a facility.

The BLS projects employment growth of nursing aides to grow by 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, mostly in response to a growing elderly population. Care-giving has become a large and growing need; according to the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants, there are more than 2.5 million caregivers providing daily care, with another 700,000 needed over the next 25 years.

A survey by AllHealthCare, sponsored by Monster.com, ranks the top 10 best states for jobs in health care. Top states for job openings include California, New Jersey, Florida, Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Among these, the states of Ohio, Michigan and Illinois ranked among the top 20 states for the best income-to-cost-of-living ratio, as reported by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.