What Is A Parish Nurse?

Parish nursing is not what its title sounds like. It is not "nursing" in the hands-on sense; it is not the church's version of a visiting nurse; it is not an on-call resource for individuals who don't want to bother their doctors; it is not the medical care solution for those who cannot afford insurance.

A parish nurse is a unique, specialized practice within the professional registered nurse community that focuses on the promotion of health and wellness within the context of the values, beliefs and practices of a specific faith community, such as a church. Parish nursing is a ministry, and its mission is to the congregation in which the parish nurse serves. Ideally, it is also involved in ministry to the greater community in which it is located. 

Parish nursing holds the spiritual dimension of health as central to its practice, but also concentrates on the psychological well-being as well as the physical. All three must work in conjunction with each other, for the spiritual, psychological and physical must all exist in harmony for there to be peace within. For a spiritual community in Christ, shalom is the ideal of being.

How is Parish Nursing relevant to the Church?

* Care for all of God's people is central in the teachings of the Old and New Testaments. It is also a concern evident in the letters of Paul.
"Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal." (Luke 9:1-2)

* The understanding of health is not simply the absence of disease, but incorporates the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the whole person. A sense of well-being is essential for existing in harmony with self, others and God.

* Throughout history, Christian churches have taken a lead in caring for others.

* Medical care has limitations and therefore needs help with preventative medicine, health education and in motivating people to care for themselves. Motivation is heightened by spiritual committment.

* Most congregations do well when performing "crisis care," but often fail in other types of care due to lack of communication, lack of coordination, lack of educated individuals to carry out care, or lack of people needed to provide care. Parish nurses can assist in all of these areas and can work to attempt to prevent crisis before it happens, or at the very least, be prepared for crisis should it occur.
Everyone has needs and burdens. How many things could be prevented if we tried to address needs and burdens before they became overwhelming? For example, most patients in hospitals have some type of preventable illness. A parish nurse can provide regular assessments and guidance to people. Most healthcare does not offer preventative monitoring.

* The church has many advantages as a healing institution:
It welcomes all age groups
It encourages and nourishes families, not just individuals.
It provides for an organized approach to teach health and wellness, because individuals attend weekly
When the spirit is rejuvenated, it provides strength to the psychological and physical aspects of being.

* The church is a powerful influence for those who attend.

* Ideally, the church accepts people in sickness and in health. Providing acceptance may be where our ministry is most relevant.

References:Samaritan Counseling Center Congregational Ministries of Health. Parish Nursing Certification Course. Lancaster, PA: 2008.

originally posted 12 September 2008