A Portion Meant for PARISH NURSES

Churches historically have been the institutions to establish hospitals, colleges and promote health from a whole person perspective.  Remember the work of deaconesses and religious sisters?

More recently, parish nursing has become a nursing specialty that focuses on the whole person to emphasize wellness, disease prevention and health promotion within the congregation. Rev. Granger Westberg, a chaplain at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill., introduced contemporary parish nursing in 1984.  He approached the hospital board with the idea of partnering with local congregations in a parish nurse project.  This resulted in six nurses being hired to work with six congregations of various denominations.  In 1985 the International Parish Nurse Resource Center was developed to promote quality parish nurse programs through research, education and support to the growing number of parish nurses in the United States and abroad.  In 1998 The American Nurses Association recognized parish nursing as a specialty practice and has published The Standards and Scope of Parish Nursing Practice. A basic preparation course for parish nurses is available, which includes theology of health as well as prayer and worship leadership.

There are several models of parish nursing evident in the East Ohio Conference.  Mayfield UMC has a “congregational-based paid model,“ where the church employs a parish nurse on staff.  Fairview Hospital offers an “institutional-based paid model” where the hospital employs parish nurses to work in their assigned churches.  The church pays a portion of the cost of the program.  There are eight United Methodist congregations working in this network.  Most congregations utilize the “congregational-based unpaid model” in which the church provides support for the volunteer nurse, including supplies, continuing education, office space and other tools to support the ministry.      

Canal Fulton UMC has had this type of program in place since January 2004.  The church received a $500 grant from the East Ohio Conference, which helped it secure medical equipment, supplies and a resource library for parishioners.  The church currently has two volunteer parish nurses; Carole Zay and Sandy Smith are involved in the health ministry to the congregation.  In 2004 the nurses conducted monthly blood pressure screenings, initiated the “vial of life” program, established a home safety program for shut-ins and seniors who live alone, made 201 home, hospital and nursing home visits, and have counseled 55 people regarding health and wellness issues.  The church also has durable medical equipment (walkers, canes, wheelchairs, and a hospital bed) available that can be lent to members.  Wanting to share this helpful outreach ministry to others, the nurses also have assisted other churches in establishing parish nurse programs.  Pastor David Case Jr. describes this ministry as “one of this congregation’s liveliest and most fruitful outreach ministries.”

An interesting partnership is occurring in the Youngstown District where Dolores Campbell has taken on a “two-point charge” working with both Bunker Hill UMC and Palmyra UMC to offer blood pressure screenings there.  Dolores offers office hours, provides health articles in the newsletter and bulletin boards and makes home visits.  Parish nursing will take shape differently in each congregation based on the needs of the congregation and the specialty of the nurse.  Any church, large or small, with a registered nurse willing to volunteer and commit time to this ministry can develop a parish health ministry.

So, how do you begin to set up a parish health ministry program at your church?  It would be helpful to contact a parish nurse coordinator from a hospital near your church.  They have the experience and resources to help you begin a program for your church.  The International Parish Nurse Resource Center’s web site: www.ipnrc.parishnurses.org has information and links to books to research the topic. 

The Health and Welfare Committee is gathering a list of active parish nurses in the East Ohio Conference to offer support and assistance.  If you would like to be included, contact Tamara Wilden at (800) 828-1789 ext. 2938.