Parish Nursing Ministry
There are more than 12,000 parish nurses - also known as faith community nurses - serving in churches nationwide. They provide a healing presence within a faith community, merging the spiritual with the standards of practice and ethical code of their profession.
Models in Ministry is a resource for local churches designed to assist congregations in starting or expanding vital outreach in their congregations. This first installment, on Parish Nursing, offers expanded coverage on the conference website, which includes articles by three area parish nurses.
NEW: Faith Community/Parish Nurse Scholarships
This scholarship program aims to increase the number of Faith Community/Parish Nurses in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Application Deadline: Rolling, but application must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the start of the course.
Award Amount: Up to $1,000 per applicant may be awarded. No reimbursement for prior programs.
Click here to learn more about the scholarship program.
First steps | What's needed to begin a Parish Nursing Ministry
What's required to become a Parish Nurse
Potential and vision | Possible areas of focus
First steps
- Do an assessment (it can be informal) to determine the congregation's most pressing health needs. For instance, some churches may have greater senior populations, while other churches may need more services for new mothers.
- Talk to other church leaders: Gaining the support from clergy is vital - a parish nurse should compliment what a pastor does, not replace his visitation duties.
- Network with other churches, groups and health organizations. Become inspired. Absorb best practices.
- Develop a plan, with specific activities, educational opportunities and resources to help address these needs. Begin modestly and expand as needs arise and resources become available.
- Create a working budget that your church will support, also seeking funding from community groups, individuals and from grants and fundraisers.
What's needed to begin a Parish Nursing Ministry
- A health care committee to plan, implement and promote health-related ministries.
- A registered nurse or nurses, whose ministry can be enriched by physicians, social workers, therapists, pharmacists, dieticians and other health care workers. Other partners in this ministry can include trainers and Stephen Ministers.
- A private space, where people can meet in confidence with the parish nurse.
- Time to develop the foundations of an excellent program. Some churches take up to a year in planning and implementing a ministry like this one.
Seek Training
Parish nurses are registered nurses who have specific training in parish nursing. Local certificate programs and training are available at Shenandoah University, Adventist Health Care Health Ministry Department and St. Mary's Seminary and University, and Wesley Seminary's Equipping Lay Ministry (ELM).
The Nurse's Role
While they are registered nurses, trained in spiritual matters, parish nurses do not give hands-on care. Nurses will customize their ministries, combining a degree of spiritual guidance with medical expertise. They may focus on serving as health counselors, educators or health advocates, providing resources as needed and leading support groups and volunteers. Parish nurses create safe and sacred places for healing and advocate with compassion, mercy and dignity.
Potential and Vision
- Parish nursing is holistic - caring for the body, mind and soul.
- It empowers and encourages people in the congregation and community to proactively care for their health.
- Parish nurses recognize that health is more than the absence of disease. They understand that God's intent for harmony and wholeness serves as a foundation for understanding health. This ministry enables individuals, families and congregations to achieve the fullness of life.
Possible areas of focus
- Disease and injury prevention, including activities like blood-pressure screenings;
- Emotional and spiritual health, including stress management and grief support groups;
- Providing advocacy and referrals;
- Family health, including parenting and care for aging parents;
- Volunteer training, including CPR and first aid classes.
- Remember: there is no typical parish nursing ministry.
