Nursing a love of God

Pam Bickley felt odd putting on her dog collar for the first time

The Director of Nursing and Patient Involvement for NHS Telford and Wrekin, has been ordained as a deacon.

Pam Bickley, 50, from Snailbeach has been in nursing for 31 years, but now gives pastoral care in her new role with the Church of England.

She said NHS colleagues were surprised at first: "I think they thought I was going to develop two heads.

"I'm still the Robbie Williams fan who has a passion for chocolate and her husband... God called me as I am."

Much amusement

Mrs Bickley said people at work have supported her throughout her three year training. "They've been amazingly supportive... a number of them were at the service in Hereford... they continue to support me now."

Other people think I'm different, possibly because of wearing the dog collar, but no, I still see myself as Pam Pam Bickley

She said it caused much amusement when she first wore her dog collar in the office. "The first time I went to collect it from the shop, I stood and looked at myself in the mirror and thought 'Oh my goodness, who's that?"

Mrs Bickley's husband is not a Christian. She said it was difficult for him at first. "Difficult for him to accept that I was going to be a vicar, because when he married me 28 years ago that wasn't on the cards.

"I think he's glad training's finished now because he gets to see a bit more of me and he was immensely proud when he came to Hereford for the ordination."

God in the car

Mrs Bickley was ordained on 5 July 2009.

"The bishop actually laying on his hands and asking for the Holy Spirit to come down upon me was... the most amazing moment."

Pam's outfit came from a shop that her husband calls 'Vicars R Us"

According to Mrs Bickley she doesn't feel any different following ordination. "I think probably other people think I'm different, possibly because of wearing the dog collar, but no, I still see myself as Pam, who has a strong faith and who feels that God has called her to go out to minister to others."

She said she talks to God in the car: "Which is easier now that people have mobile phones... it doesn't look like I'm talking to myself."

"It helps to know that whatever I'm doing, I'm not doing by myself. I'm doing with God, for God, according to God's word."

Very intense

The selection process for ordination was extremely rigorous and came as a surprise to Mrs Bickley.

• She spent six months having regular meetings with Marylou Toop, Director of Ordinands at the Diocese of Hereford.

• That was followed by three pre-selection interviews looking at her pastoral life, education, faith and prayer life.

• There was an hour long meeting with her husband and the Bishop of Hereford.

• Then there was a three day residential selection conference.

It took 18 months and was 'worth every moment' according to Mrs Bickley.

Praying for patients

In February 2009, a Christian nurse from Weston-super-Mare was suspended and then re-instated after she prayed for a patient.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council makes it quite clear that we should always behave professionally and we should recognise the bounderies Pam Bickley

Asked how she felt about nurses praying for patients, Mrs Bickley said she wouldn't have a problem with it, if a patient asked a nurse to pray for them, but the suggestion would have to come from the patient.

"What I don't think we should do as nurses is go in and say I will pray for you.

"The Nursing and Midwifery Council makes it quite clear that we should always behave professionally and we should recognise the bounderies.

"I would rather we all be respectful than actually put any hard and fast rules in."