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Parish Nursing Program
Steps for Initiating Parish Nurse/Health Ministry in a Local Parish
The Congregation should:
Step 1:
- Learn all you can about Parish Nursing by reading Parish Nursing by Granger Westburg: Health Cabinet 2nd Edition by Jill Westberg McNamara; journal articles from Journal of Christian Nursing; Internet web sites: International Parish Nurse Resource Center, or Health Ministry Association
- Create a committee of parishioners interested in the concept of Healing and Wholeness to explore and to brainstorm if a Parish Nurse/Health Ministry is program needed in their parish
- Arrange for Parish Nurse to come and speak with interested parishioners.Arrangements can be made through the Archdiocese for a speaker.
Provide for the Parish Nurse:
Step 2:
- Office space/telephone with a secure area for privacy and confidential talks with parish members
- A locked file cabinet
- A formal introduction of the Parish Nurse to the parishioners
- A formal commissioning of the Parish Nurse/Health Ministry Team at the main parish Sunday Liturgy
The Parish Nurse Should:
Step 3:
- Attend the Parish Nurse Basic Preparation Course that utilizes the International Parish Nurse curriculum. For a list of courses, contact the Department of Parish Life and Services
- Link up with a local hospital or health system to secure additional health resources and clinical support. You may contact the Archdiocese for a list of Health Systems that support Parish Nursing
- Conduct a health needs assessment of the parish with the help of a Health Ministry committee
- Plan health promotion programs according to findings from the needs assessment
- Attend continuing education for on-going clinical and pastoral needs
- Explore funding, either in the parish budget or through grant writing
Materials adapted from: The Parish Nurse: How to Start a Parish Nurse Program in your Church, Granger Westberg and Jill Westberg-McNamara. International Parish Nurse Resource Center.
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