Role of Parish Nursing

What is the Role of Parish Nursing in a Congregation?

1. Linking Faith & Health
  • Interpreting the connection between lifestyle, faith and health
  • Focus on integration of body, mind and spirit
  • Faith as a resource for wellness, comfort and support
  • Focus on spiritual healing through reconciliation and forgiveness

Method

  • One-to-one personal interaction (parishioner-to-parish nurse, parishioner-to-parishioner) OR interactions (parishioner-to-nurse, parishioner-to-parishioner) OR group activities planned by Health Committee
  • Ministry of Presence and Listening
  • Using elements of worship: prayer, scripture, healing liturgies, guided imagery, meditative exercises (e.g., labyrinth)
  • Sessions on prayer and meditation
2. Promoting Health & Preventing Illness (Health Education)
  • Focus on the concept of stewardship of the gift of life: “Life is a gift and we are the stewards”
  • “Health is not the purpose of life, but rather it serves life’s purpose”
  • How can we care for the gift of life so that we can fulfill God’s purpose for our lives?

Method

  • One-to-one personal interaction (parishioner / parish nurse)
  • Health Promotion seminars based on congregational health survey findings
  • Bulletin board displays
  • Church newsletter / bulletin column
3. Personal Health & Counselling
  • Listening
  • Talking over concerns
  • Identifying needs (nursing assessment)
  • Identifying parishioner goals
  • Providing support in moving forward
  • Providing Advocacy support

Method

One-to-one personal interaction (parishioner / parish nurse)

4. Advocate & Referral Resources
  • Referring to services within the faith community (minister, pastoral visitor, outreach committee, etc.)
  • Referring to services within the community at large (crisis team, lawyer, social worker, physician, etc.)
  • Assisting clients and families to make health decisions
  • Advocating for health care services for clients and families and healthy public policy for the community

Method

  • One-to-one personal interaction (parishioner / parish nurse)
  • Locating support services and advocating on behalf of parishioner
5. Multiplying the Ministers
  • Facilitating the development of parishioner/congregational ministry in response to identified needs
  • Helping parishioners to hear their own calls to ministry

Method

  • One-to-one personal interaction (parishioner / parish nurse) or group training
  • Mobilizing congregational support as needs are identified
  • Organization, training, and support for individual and group ministries
  • Support services developed by the parish nurse will respond to needs NOT BEING MET in the community
  • It is important that the church not be seen to be duplicating services or replacing services that are already in the public domain
  • Provides opportunities for congregations to reach out and make a difference in the communities they serve