About Parish Nursing
Introduction to Parish Nursing
The Gospels are replete with examples of Jesus healing. Among the thirty-five examples of healing, the healings were of the body, the mind and the spirit. The Church has continued to carry on the healing mission of Jesus through the sacraments, medical missionaries, Catholic hospital systems, and a whole host of persons devoted to serving peoples’ health and healing needs.
The parish nurse can contribute to the health and healing mission of Jesus as well as the mission of the Diocese of Saint Cloud: i.e. “Our mission is to be his heart of mercy, voice of hope and hands of justice.”
What It IsParish Nursing
Parish Nursing is the specialized practice of professional nursing that focuses on the intentional care of the spirit as part of the process of promoting wholistic health and preventing or minimizing illness in a faith community. It is a part of a broader outreach – health ministry. With parish nursing and a structured health ministry program, the parishioners find connectedness, encouragement, hope and love.
Parish Nursing is an independent practice of professional nursing and is defined by the Minnesota Nurse Practice Act. Parish nursing focuses on health promotion within the parish as a whole, a family or an individual, based on standards of care and performance outlined by the American Nurses Association.
* Parish Nursing is also known as Faith Community Nursing, or Congregational Nursing.
Parish Nursing Roles
Parish Nurses function under specific professional standards and a scope of practice developed by the American Nurses Association and the Health Ministries Association. Parish Nurses believe that the spiritual dimension is central to their practice and involves and incorporates it in their following functions:
1. Integrator of Faith and Health. Promotes an understanding of the relationship of body, mind and spirit and the role of values, attitudes, lifestyle and faith. Examples include:
A. Prayer, presence and active listening
B. Spiritual Assessments
C. Referral to other members of the ministerial team
D. Reframing, encouragement, reassurance
E. Visitation to homes, hospitals and nursing homes
2. Health Educator: Focuses on a variety of health promotion activities for all ages with the parish. Examples include:
A. Sponsors Health Fairs
B. Makes health information available in the bulletin and displays
C. Works with other ministries in the parish such as the school, youth groups, women and men’s group to promote health
D. Develops group education programs related to health
3. Personal Health Counselor: Discusses health issues and concerns with individuals and families: As a health counselor, a parish nurse can help parishioners explore ways to cope more effectively with:
A. Physical problems, emotional struggles and safety concerns
B. Stressful life transitions
C. Referral to appropriate healthcare providers or the healthcare system
D. Assists parishioners in understanding diagnoses, lab results and medications
- Referral Advisor: Serves as a liaison between parishioners and resources within the parish, community and healthcare system.
A. Promotes food shelf services for the elderly
B. Assists the uninsured and underinsured to available health options
C. Refers parish members to available social support options
5. Advocacy: Promotes local, state and national endeavors related to health issues such as smoking, pandemic flu preparation, cancer awareness.
A. Participates in parish activities to address social justice issues
B. Accompanies parish members to health and social support systems as an advocate.
C. Reports abuse and neglect issues to the appropriate social service agency
D. Assists with values clarification around important decisions such as end-of-life issues.
- Developer of Support Groups: Assesses the needs of various groups within the parish who would benefit from support options. Examples include:
A. Arranges for qualified individuals to facilitate support groups
B. Provides evidence based support groups such as Chronic Disease Management and A Matter of Balance.
C. Facilitates disease specific support groups and grief/loss groups
- Facilitator of Volunteers: Recruits, trains and supervises volunteers for various activities within the parish. Examples include:
A. Blood Mobile coordination
B. First Aid Training for Ushers
C. Education for Parish Home Visitor Volunteers
D. Clinics and screenings within the parish.
Not all Parish Nurses will carry out each of these functions. The Parish Nurse, in collaboration with the pastor, parish members and the health and wellness committee, will determine which functions best meet the needs of the parish.
Parish Nurse Qualifications
The International Parish Nurse Resource Center, located in St. Louis, Missouri, recommends the following registered nurse qualifications for a parish nurse:
· Graduate of an accredited registered nursing program, preferably with a BSN
· 3-5 years of clinical nursing practice
· Current registered nurse license in Minnesota
· Ability to work independently and within the context of a team
· Community assessment skills
· Possesses a good understanding of spirituality and religion
· Completion of a Basic Parish Nurse Preparation Course