Parish nursing is a specialty practice and professional model of health ministry. The parish nurse role reclaims the historic roots of health and healing found in many religious traditions. It is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, consistent with the basic assumptions of all faiths that we care for self and others as an expression of God's Love.
The parish nurse understands health to be a dynamic process, which embodies the spiritual, psychological, physical and social dimensions of the person. Spiritual health is central to well being and influences a person’s entire being. A sense of well being can exist in the presence of disease and healing can exist in the absence of cure.
The spiritual dimension is central to parish nursing. The practice holds that all persons are sacred and must be treated with dignity and respect. The parish nurse assists and support individuals and families in becoming more active partners in the stewardship of personal and communal health resources
The focus of practice is the faith community and its ministry. The parish nurse in collaboration with the pastoral staff and congregation will participate in the ongoing transformation of our faith community into a source of health and healing. Through partnership with other community health resources, parish nursing fosters new and creative responses to health and wellness concerns.
Traditional roles of the Parish Nurse are:
- Health educator
- Integrator of faith and health
- Referral agent and liaison with community resources
- Facilitator of volunteers
- Developer of support groups
- Health advocate
At East Church, the parish nurses work in collaboration with the staff of the church, existing committees and under the supervision of the Health Ministry Board. We welcome volunteers, both professional health care workers and those with other gifts to assist us in this ministry.
Parish Nursing Education: Promoting Congregational Health, Healing and Wholeness for the Twenty First Century. International Parish Nurse Resource Center St. Louis, MO