It's been a long and difficult journey for Sarah Kuteh of England, a Christian nurse fired for sharing her faith with some of her patients. The disciplinary act stalled her career and nearly ruined her life. But God is faithful and a 2-year legal battle has finally cleared her name!
Jesus warned that following him wouldn't be easy. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). And Sarah Kuteh experienced this firsthand when her Christian faith got her fired from the job she loves.
With 15 years of experience under her belt, hardworking nurse Sarah Kuteh never expected to be in the middle of a legal dispute. But after Darent Valley Hospital fired her for "gross misconduct" in August of 2016, that's right where she found herself.
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Sarah had worked at the hospital since 2007. And she loved her job.
"As a nurse, the satisfying thing about nursing is making that difference," Sarah explained. "When I see that patient get better, it's like 'My God, she made it!' or 'We did it!' . . . And there are times you don't always make a difference. And there are times patients don't always get better. But it's just knowing that I was there."
As part of her role, Sarah administered a pre-op assessment questionnaire to patients before surgery. One of the questions specifically asked about the patients' religion. And occasionally, this question led to conversations about faith.
Sometimes Sarah opened up about her own Christian beliefs and how Jesus had helped her overcome trials in her own life. Once she even gave her Bible to a patient and assured them she'd be praying for them.
"I would. . . reassure them, based on the joy and peace that I really have found in Jesus," she said.
But then, Sarah's superior warned her some staff and patients had complained. After that, Sarah would only discuss her faith if a patient specifically asked.
Sarah never intended to push her faith on others. So, it came as a complete shock when she was told to collect her things and get out.
"It was embarrassing for me – and painful after all I had done in my years as a nurse. I was told I couldn’t even speak to my colleagues," an emotional Sarah recalled. "All I had done was to nurse from my heart. How could it be harmful to tell someone about Jesus?"
The hospital not only fired Sarah but also reported her to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), as unfit for nursing. The NMC placed a host of restrictions on her future employment, making it difficult to find another position.
Thankfully, the Christian Legal Centre stepped in to defend Sarah at the many hearings held investigating the Christian nurse's dismissal. But the long and tiring fight certainly took its toll on Sarah and her family.
Sarah's unexpected termination turned her entire world upside down. For starters, as a mother-of-three, Sarah depended on her stable wages to make a living. With no income, she and her children fell on desperate times, living out of boxes.
Then there was all the publicity.
"I never thought my story was going to be over the anywhere. When I woke up, my face is everywhere, my story is everywhere. I was shocked," Sarah said.
It was hard for Sarah to hear the attacks against her. People started accusing her of trying to force her beliefs on her patients, of preaching to them -- allegations Sarah said simply weren't true.
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Sarah lost everything. It wasn't just her job and her home. She'd lost her life's calling.
"I love to nurse. Taking that away from me is not only taking my livelihood but taking something from me that I'm really passionate about -- that I love doing," Sarah said.
While Sarah eventually found a new job in a nursing home, she could only work under the close supervision of a senior nurse. And though she had the Christian Legal Centre by her side, she had to endure a long and difficult battle.
"It's been costly, very costly," Sarah says. "You wouldn't believe the tears and the questions I've had to ask the Lord. How did it all get out of hand like this?"
But through it all, Sarah clung to her faith and did her best to remain cheerful. And her perseverance didn't go unnoticed by her children.
"My mom's so selfless and sometimes I have to think to myself 'she's gone through so much.' And yet, she still has a smile on her face, yet she's still able to give to us and to give selflessly, even when it hurts," Sarah's daughter Geneva says. "For me, that's what people don't see. That's what I would love people to see."
The two-year battle in and out of court finally cleared Sarah's name! NMC dropped all restrictions, saying:
“It is in the public interest to return an otherwise experienced and competent nurse into practice.”
And, of course, the outcome overjoyed Sarah.
“Had it not been for your support, quite frankly I would have been lost," she said to the Christian Legal Centre. "But, I want to thank you all. You are doing a brilliant job, and I pray that the Lord will reward you all for the wonderful job that you are doing, and for believing in me.”
Praise God that this loving nurse can once again live out her calling!
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." 1 Peter 4:12-14
h/t: Christian Headlines / Christian Concern
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