Many nurses feel their vocation is not just a job but
their mission or calling. They are fulfilled by
sharing a ministry of caring for others through health
care. In the Central Georgia area, nurses who want to
serve their church families can find training,
networking, and a multitude of resources from the
Houston Healthcare Parish Nursing Program.
Parish Nursing is a community health nursing
program operating in churches to promote wellness by
addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual
needs of individuals. In addition, parish nurses
provide preventive services and help members access
the health care system. The parish nurse is the
visible symbol of the healing ministry in the
congregation and a facilitator of wellness and health.
The origins of parish nursing date back to the
early Christian church when Phoebe ministered to the
physical needs of ill persons in their homes. Jesus'
healing ministry serves as a model for parish nurses
to assist in achieving wellness and healing,
demonstrating through his healing that God is
concerned about health.
The Houston Healthcare Parish Nursing group meets
the first Wednesday of each month at 12 noon in the
Houston Health Pavilion located in the Houston Mall in
Warner Robins. This group consists of Registered
Nurses who volunteer their time and talents to serve
their church families. Houston Healthcare serves as
the umbrella organization over this group to provide
teaching materials, ideas, training, a place to
network, and much more.
Monthly meetings begin with a devotional, followed
by a speaker on health information, church reports,
and sharing of ideas and resources. Membership is open
to any Registered Nurse who has the desire to start a
Parish Health Ministry. A Parish Nurse does not do
hands-on Nursing, but rather acts as a Health
Educator, providing health related programs, basic
screenings, linking people to health resources, and
coordinating volunteers to help in various
health-related needs.
Each Parish Health program is different. Some of
the Nurses do numerous activities, and some only a
few. The types of programs vary according to the needs
of the congregation, and the program is
interdenominational.
The group includes over 30 Registered Nurses
representing various denominations throughout the
Central Georgia area. Each nurse joining this group
receives an orientation to Parish Nursing, and many of
the nurses have attended the certification program at
Furman University, a program recognized through the
International Parish Health Organization.
Officers for 2004 include: President-Brenda
Kirkland of Byron United Methodist Church, Vice
President- Cassie Ferguson of Greater Springfield
Missionary Baptist Church- Warner Robins, Secretary-
Louise Peyton of St. Patrick's Catholic Church- Perry,
and Education Coordinator- Deborah Warner of St
Christopher's Episcopal Church- Perry.
"I found that, as a Parish Nurse, my health
knowledge is my ministry at my church. The presence of
a Parish Health Program gives people easy access to a
qualified health provider, encourages people to talk
about their physical problems, and reminds people that
the church is interested in the whole person - mind,
body and spirit, " shares Mrs. Warner, a parish
nurse involved with the program. "I have done
health screenings for cholesterol, glucose and blood
pressures. These screenings have resulted in
diagnosing two diabetics who are now managing their
diabetes with lifestyle changes under their doctor's
supervision. My monthly blood pressure screenings have
directed parishioners back to their physicians for
medication changes or to their physicians for the
first time concerning their blood pressures. Our
Sunday School children have gotten safety helmets and
safety information, and we have obtained an automated
external defibrillator for the church and have a
trained team of responders. " The steps to
develop a Parish Nurse Program include the following:
1. Discuss the program with pastor and other church
leaders materials are available through the Central
Georgia Parish Health Program.
2. Select a Nurse to lead the program and have her
attend orientation.
3. The Nurse then asks for volunteers to support
this program, often called a Health Cabinet or Health
Ministry Team. This group can include Social Workers,
Physicians, volunteers, and other nurses.
4. Do an assessment to determine the church needs
for a health ministry.
5. Select priorities for the ministry and schedule
activities.
Some examples of Parish Health activities include
providing health fairs, classes on health-related
topics, visitation of shut-ins or hospitalized
members, blood pressure screenings after services,
Precious Blessings Support Team (welcomes new babies
and offers encouragement to new parents), including
health information in bulletin and newsletter,
referral of member to health-related resources on
request, promoting "healthy foods" at social
events, medical equipment exchange closet (such as
wheel chairs, walking canes etc. ), coordinating
classes for Nursery workers on First Aid, weight loss
classes, group exercise classes, information on how to
access various health services, classes on dealing
with stress, change, or depression, coordinating team
members to offer support to families dealing with
major illness, and much more.
Mrs. Warner adds, "A Parish Nurse is in a
unique position to promote health and healing within
the context of the church. I feel like the Parish
Health Program in my church has made a healthy change
for the better with the parishioners. " Many of
the parish nurses work a 40-hour work-week and still
find time to serve their church families through
Parish Nursing. These nurses truly are committed to
their profession, their beliefs, and to their church
families.
In this day of a nursing shortage, an aging
population, and many individuals in our community
without insurance, the Church with a Parish Nurse can
count themselves as very fortunate.
For more information on the
Central Georgia Parish Health Ministry or to attend
the next meeting, call 478-923-9771.
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