A Boundless God

Transitioning from a third-world nursing practice to a Western culture requires adaptation, learning, and unlearning.

A paradigm shift in ways of thinking and clinical reasoning quickly happened with learning and unlearning. Working as a critical care nurse brought meaning and reality to my nursing career. Intensive care unit (ICU) nursing requires quick clinical decision-making. Patient safety and quality of life are the core of nursing.

I loved it and enjoyed the fast-paced nursing practice, but my heart’s desire was to teach. The Lord knew that I needed to be well rooted in the dynamics of nursing practice and management to be equipped to teach.

He led my path to a management position at a step-down pediatric unit. The responsibilities were extensive but challenging.

The knowledge learned grew in relation to managing safe patient care, strict compliance to regulations, and staying on budget, yet maintaining excellent outcomes. The global economic depression affected hospital operations in 1993 and led to hospital layoffs. I was laid off as middle-management positions were removed.

Losing a job caused feelings of uncertainty.

I still had my part-time teaching at the community college.

In faith, I placed my case in God’s hands.

“If the door closes, the Lord opens the window,” we assured our children during family worship. “We heard that before! Yes, from The Sound of Music!” our children replied. Our oldest daughter was going to college.

Just as I had asked my husband to get a second job, the telephone rang. It was the dean of the community college. She explained that I had been recommended by the dean of another college to teach. “Edna, we need you badly.

Can you come now?” I was awed by God’s opening of this window! Yes, God answers even before we call! We experience crucibles in our lives, but God’s promise in Isaiah 65:24 is sure, “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (KJV). The God of heaven always proves that He is a boundless God.

He is faithful, and His mercy endures forever!

Edna Bacate Domingo