Parish Health Ministry: A Primer for Parish Involvement

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Parish Health Ministry: A Primer for Parish Involvement

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Section Two: The Parish Nurse Within Parish Health Ministry
What is a parish nurse?

A parish nurse is a professional registered nurse who delivers primary, wholistic nursing services in a parish. The nurse focuses on the spiritual, psycho-social, physical, and environmental dimensions of parishioners in regard to wellness and management of illness or disease. The goal of the parish nurse is to enhance the quality of life for parishioners. As a member of the pastoral team, the nurse works with the pastor/parish director, staff, and volunteers, to promote health and wholeness through the healing message of the Gospel and through the practice of the nursing profession. He/she advises other staff about health-related issues pertinent to the parish.

... to fulfill what had been said by Isaiah the prophet: "He took away our infirmaties and bore our diseases."
—Mt 8:17

The parish nurse assumes a broad vision when considering the cultural, racial and ethnic diversity of the parish. Parish nursing does not focus upon hands-on delivery of traditional nursing care. It may include pastoral visits to the sick and home-bound, including the sharing of Communion. The parish nurse does not replace other healthcare professionals in the community (such as a public health nurse), but works collaboratively with them. The roles and functions of the parish nurse are: Health educator
The parish nurse provides current, accurate health-related information through presentations, programs and screenings that focus on prevention or improving and maintaining a level of wellness.

Health counselor
The parish nurse helps individuals and families to understand and cope with health-related concerns, and identifies healthcare needs that may not be obvious. The nurse visits parishioners in their homes, in hospitals and in longterm care facilities, and is available at established times at his/her parish office.

Referral agent
The parish nurse helps parishioners relate to the complex health-care system by referring them to appropriate community resources or agencies. This may occasionally include accompanying them to a physician visit or a health institution. The parish nurse helps parishioners access available services within the community. The role of the parish nurse is not to duplicate services provided by community agencies, but rather to act as a referral agent to existing agencies (such as Interfaith Older Adults Program or Interfaith Caregiving Network). It is the responsibility of the parish nurse to be aware of community agencies and the services they provide.

Healthcare advocate
The parish nurse supports parish ministries already in place and helps to develop new ministries related to healthcare as the need arises. The parish nurse trains volunteers to facilitate these ministries and empowers members of the parish to reclaim the Church's mission of healing.

Actual position descriptions for parish nursing reflect the unique culture, needs and mission of the parish being served (and any sponsoring agency). Hours can vary from part-time to full-time. In order to meet basic needs of most parishes, the nurse should devote ten or more hours a week to the ministry.

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