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Singing, Serving, and Listening to God's Voice
Q&A with Jeremy Knapp
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Read more about what Jeremy has to say about why he became a nurse, his feelings about winning the Spirit of Nursing award, his future plans, and how his music, his love for God, and his life as a nurse are intertwined...
Q: How did you get into the nursing program at ORU?
A: Honestly, I just listened to God's voice. I remember being in church back in '98, asking God to speak to me through my thoughts, as in Psalms 95:7,8, and so many of my thoughts were calling me to be in the medical field... I had to ask myself if I could trust Him and to make a commitment to follow what He put in my heart. When I came to ORU, I jumped into nursing, and it's been an incredible opportunity for me.
Q: Why nursing? What do you like best about being a nurse?
A: I love helping people, and nursing is a great way to do that. The primary thing I like is the consistency of working with people, caring for them, developing relationships with them. First you meet their physical needs as a nurse, then you can start meeting their spiritual needs as well.
As a nurse, you learn how to read expressions on the faces of patients, to carry yourself so they know you care about them, to be sensitive to their needs. You also notice how they're feeling, if they are stressed out over a procedure or worried about something. It doesn't have to turn into a huge revival, but you show God's love for them through how you treat them.
Q: Where are you working now?
A: I'm working full-time at St. Francis Hospital in their dialysis unit. I really like it because of the consistency of the patients--most people need treatment at least three times a week, so I have that opportunity to interact with them, to help them through this process, to pray with them if they'd like and for them if they need it.
Q: Let's talk about the "Spirit of Nursing" award. Every year, the nursing faculty at ORU selects a graduating senior they feel exemplifies high professional standards and a servant's heart for ministry in nursing. This year, they chose you. One professor wrote, "Jeremy ministers to each patient as a child of God." What do you think of being chosen for this honor?
A: It was really unexpected! I strive to do the best I can, but to get this award was sobering. It's an honor--I feel like this shows what God was telling me to receive; it reinforces and shows God's faithfulness.
Q: Someone told me that you have a musical gift that you use in your nursing. Tell me about that.
A: Yes! I play a little piano, guitar, and I sing--but I don't know enough to do anything more than praise and worship, which is good. It prevents pride and keeps the focus on God! I've played and sung some for patients, and I would love to do more of that. Music is an incredible comfort to people, especially those hurting or in hard situations. Ultimately, my desire is to use my musical gift and my nursing skills to honor God.
Q: So how does it feel to be a man in a field that is predominately female?
A: I love it! I always tell people this, but I have always had a lot of respect and love for women in a brotherly way. I guess it's because I never had sisters--it's like all women are my sisters. So I really enjoy working with women in the nursing profession.
Q: What are your future plans? Will you continue to stay in nursing?
A: Originally, I wanted to be a doctor, and those plans are still in motion. I would like to take the next three years to prepare for medical school--take the pre-med classes I need, apply to different schools. I also have a real heart for missions--I worked in the Missions office at ORU, and I'd love to have my own ministry overseas. I really like the organization Mercy Ships (www.mercyships.org), a medical ministry that is done by boat. Whatever happens, I'm just pursuing what's in my heart and what God wants me to be.
