Faith & Vocation: Ruth Rogers Lewis
How long have you been in Seattle and what do you most enjoy and struggle with about living here?
I have lived in Seattle for 32 years. I struggle with the Seattle traffic, but the temperate climate, surrounding mountains, and the way nature flourishes here, even in the city, are what I enjoy most. I also love the easy access to the local lakes and Puget Sound. Paddleboarding and swimming allow me to breathe deeply and take in the beauty that surrounds me.
How long have you been at your current place of work and do you see this as a place of longevity? Why or why not?
I have been at my place of work for 22 years. I plan to conclude my career where I am currently working. I have accumulated many years of service with a pension, and it is financially beneficial to remain there. More importantly, I love the work I do and I love my colleagues.
Do you see your calling and your career as the same or different?
For me, nursing is a calling. It is the place where my compassion, faith, and commitment to service come together. Being present for others is sacred work. Every patient that I care for reminds me of the deeper purpose behind what I do. I feel profoundly grateful to be present for people in their most vulnerable moments.
What are some of the things that you find most enjoyable about your work?
The things that I find most enjoyable about my work are:
The opportunities to contribute to improved health outcomes for my patients
Being a team member of a collaborative interprofessional team that works together very well with a shared purpose
Continuous learning through surgeons instructing residents, collaboration with nursing colleagues, and intentional, formalized personal learning activities.
What do you find particularly challenging?
It is particularly challenging when staff morale declines. I endeavor to lean on Jesus for guidance, remain compassionate, be a role model, and serve my colleagues with integrity.
How do you see your faith intersecting with your work?
Faith interacts with my daily work life as well as the hardships associated with the kind of work that I do. I know I have a rock on which to stand, i.e., Jesus, as well as God's loving presence. Faith in Jesus also allows me to receive each patient, who comes to me just as they are, as a beloved being, made in God’s image, who needs compassionate care.
If there was something the church could do to support you more, what might that look like?
The church can support me with prayer. Encouragement through consistent prayer support could be a blessing (from BCP) during a Sunday service, or our prayer team consistently lifting healthcare providers/professionals. Another way of encouragement might be an occasional check-in from clergy or prayer team members through a brief message, email, note, or phone call. This is a way of walking alongside caregivers, offering spiritual support and affirmation that our work is not just clinical but holy.
