A Way to Promote Holistic Congregational Health

Definition 

Parish nursing is defined as “a unique, specialized practice of professional nursing which focuses on the promotion of health within the context of the values, beliefs, and practices of a faith community.. . . Health is viewed as not only the absence of disease but (also as) . . . harmony with self, others, the environment, and with God.” (Scope and Standards of Parish Nursing Practice; acknowledged and published by ANA, 1998.) 

A nurse should have a sense of calling to church nursing ministry. 

Roots/Foundations 

Jesus responded to people’s need by making them whole. He calls Christians to follow His example of compassionate caring for all; therefore, nurses should be professionally involved in the church’s redemptive ministry (Matt. 4:23; Luke 9:2). 

Parish nursing is a global, new, developing area of nursing begun by Granger Wesburg in 1984. 

Educational Requirements 

A current nursing license issued by the state in which the parish nurse practices is required. 

Since there is no certification exam in parish nursing developed by ANCC (1999); or accreditation process for courses or curricula, the nurse should follow the guidelines provided in the Scope and Standards of Parish Nursing Practice. 

A model curriculum has been developed and endorsed by the International Parish Nurse Resource Center which may be purchased for use by educational institutions or programs. (V. Wepfer, in Connections 99, no. 3 [Fall 1999]: 5.) 

Baptist Nursing Fellowship Endorsement 

Even though Baptist Nursing Fellowship is not a sponsor or provider of Parish nursing, we endorse

Parish Nursing and believe that the church ministry team should include a parish nurse.

Areas of Ministry 

• Health educator 
• Personal health counselor and spiritual/prayer interaction 
• Referral source and liaison with community resources 
• Facilitator/educator of volunteers 
• Clarifier of interrelationship of faith and health
  
  

Visions of Service 

The parish nurse promotes wellness and disease prevention in the faith community by: 

• organizing health fairs, health screenings, health promotion education; 

• enlisting members’ participation in ministry; 

• visiting/communicating with members with health concerns to assist in referral or education; 

• offering training and affirmation to caregivers and families; 

• coordinating a church care team for persons with long-term illnesses to assist caregivers; 

• providing opportunities for outreach through support groups including nonchurch community; 

• educating the congregation on moral/ethical health issues.

Program Developmental Guide 

1. Establish a learning program for congregation and staff.

      a.  Gather educational resources and do study.

      b.  Do needs assessment.

      c.  Identify members with health ministry interest. 

2. Continue studies on holistic health care. 

3. Lead church to establish a Health Ministry Committee. The chair should be a member of the church council.

Tasks of Health Ministry Committee 

      a.  Continue assessment of needs a parish nurse would address in the congregation.

      b.  Studying model options for church’s health ministry.

      c.  Keep congregation informed on progress.

4. Establish a relationship with local medical programs and other health-related groups if your parish nurse is not participating in a medical initiated model. 

5. Choose the parish nurse model to fit your church needs and employ nurse. 

Information Resource Centers

International Parish Nurse Resource Center

Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries

475 E. Lockwood Avenue

Webster Groves, MO 63119

(314) 918-2259; www.parishnurses.org

Health Ministries Association

295 W. Crossville Road, Suite 130

Roswell, GA 30075

1-800-280-9919; www.hmassoc.org

The Interfaith Health Program
Rollins School of Public Health
Emory University
1256 Briarcliff Road NE, Building A, Suite 107
Atlanta, GA 30306
(404) 727-5246

lmcphee@emory.edu

(Some) Parish/Congregational/Church Nurse

Educational Programs

Congregational Nurse Preparation Course (June 20-25, 2010)
A Faith Based educational opportunity for registered nurses.
Presented by Congregational Health Ministry of Gwinnett Medical Center & Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University. Contact Hours (40) through the Georgia Nurses' Association.

Director: Jean Holle, RN, MSN
jholley@gwinnettmedicalcenter.org
678-312-2467

Clinical Education Coordinator: Debbie Huckaby, RN
dhuckaby@gwinnettmedicalcenter.org
678-312-2423

Gardner-Webb University

Contact: Shirley Toney, RN, PhD

            Dean School of Nursing

P. O. Box 7268

Boiling Springs, NC 28017

(704) 406-4360

Email: stoney@gardner-webb.edu

Note: Offers MSN in Parish Nursing in collaboration with the School of Divinity.

Parish Nursing  Certificate Program (Congregational Nursing)

Contact: Gretchen McDaniel, RN, DSN

            Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing

            Samford University

            800 Lakeshore Drive

            Birmingham, AL 35229

            (205) 726-2626

            Email: gsmcdani@samford.edu 

Virginia Parish Nurse Educational Program

(http://www.wmu-va.org/ParishNursePage.htm)

Parish Nurse Preparation Course (Parish Nurse Resource Center Curriculum)

Contact:  Gerri McDaniel

            Parish Nurse Coordinator WMUV/RVBA,

            Co-coordinator VPNEP

            5016 Britaney Road

            Roanoke, VA 24012

            (540) 977-3903

            Email: gerrimcd@cox.net

Note: Offers 56.25 contact hours:

1.     a distant learning plus two retreat programs.

2.     a semester program with Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Roanoke, Virginia.

In 1998, the Virginia Baptist Nursing Fellowship began this program with funds provided by a WMU Second Century Fund grant. In 2004, this program has been completed by 125 nurses from five states and seven denominations.

Union University Parish Nursing Course
Contact:       Joyce Henerson, RN, MS
              Union University School of Nursing
              1050 Union University Drive
              Jackson, TN 38305
              (731)661-5236
              Email: jhenders@uu.edu

Compiled by

Myrtice Owens, RN, MRE;

Shirley Rawlins, APRN, BC, DSN;

and Ellen D. Tabor, RN, EdD