PARISH NURSING & our Health Channel
What is a Parish Nurse?
· A parish nurse is a registered nurse with specialized knowledge, who is called to ministry and affirmed by a faith community to promote health, healing and wholeness. (www.capnm.ca)
What does / can a Parish Nurse Do?
· She promotes the concept of health as Shalom-Wellness (wholeness of body, mind and spirit.).
· She provides support to the leadership team within the church especially when they are called upon to help people with health related issues.
· The Parish Nurse role will meet the Standards of Practices and Core Competencies as outlined by CARNA (College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta).
· The Parish Nurse role conforms to the CAPNM Parish Nurse Core Competencies list.
· She is an Integrator of faith and health.
· She is a health educator.
· She is a personal health counselor.
· She is a referral agent and liaison with congregational and community resources.
· She is a developer of support groups.
· She is a heath advocate.
· Responds to the health concerns of the people in her congregation and community.
When to call the Parish Nurse:
If you or a family member is sick.
If you don’t understand something your doctor has told you.
If you are concerned about your parent, children, family members or friends.
If you are lonely.
If you are feeling overwhelmed.
If you or someone you know is going for surgery.
If you are dealing with a loss or death.
If you are in need of prayer.
If you are struggling with a relationship.
If you are looking for ways to improve your health.
If you need someone to listen.
What a parish nurse is not:
· A parish nurse is not a physician. She will not provide medical diagnosis or medical treatment.
· A parish nurse is not a home care nurse. A parish nurse will not dispense medications or provide treatments prescribed by a physician.
· A parish nurse is not a therapist. She will not do physical therapy, occupational therapy, dietary therapy or psychotherapy.
· A parish nurse is not a clergyperson. A parish nurse usually does not hold a degree in theology, although she may have some further education in theology or clinical pastoral education. All parish nurses come to the field with a deep spiritual commitment.
· The Parish nurse is not in competition for roles already in existence in a congregation.
The Health Channel
Coming soon to The River … Our Health
Ministry
What is a Health Ministry?
Faith communities are vital centers for addressing the well-being of people in their communities. All religious traditions stress attention to health, care for the sick or marginalized, and positive living. Every neighborhood has a church, temple, or mosque that provides spiritual care. Often religious institutions are also engaged in outreach efforts that address the needs of the community at large.
Issues of health are basic to all people. We all struggle with illness, stress, injury and loss. We all want to be well and functioning to the best of our abilities. Broadly defined, a health ministry is anything a faith community is doing to promote the wholistic well-being of the people in its membership and/or in the community.
There are many ways to do health ministries. Each congregation is unique and has its own set of resources and needs.
The Health Channel had its initial meeting in May 2008 and definitive plans are still being developed. This multidisciplinary group of health care providers serve The Riverites with their commitment to health and bring a diverse knowledge base from which the congregants will benefit. Stay tuned for updates in The Currents weekly newsletter.
Kathy Dempsey is our parish nurse intern and she can be reached at 780-435-2243 or glegloff@telusplanet.net