What is a Parish Nurse?

A parish nurse is a registered nurse who works directly with the ministry team at a congregation to assist parishioners in connecting health and faith and promoting wellness and a better quality of life. Parish nurses promote wholeness of body, mind, and spirit for the church community and individuals and families in the following ways:

Church Community

• Allows the church to reclaim its role in ministering to the whole person.
• Enhances the ability of the church to respond to the health needs of its church community.
• Increases awareness of and access to community resources.
• Promotes access to health care expertise and services in Sioux Falls and the surrounding areas.

Individuals and Families

• Heath Counseling
• Health Resources/Referral Source
• Health Education
• Health Support Facilitator

A Parish Nurse serving in a church community promotes the healing ministries and a sense of community by serving in the following capacities:

Health Counselor: The Parish Nurse meets with parishioners to discuss and listen to concerns that are troublesome whether physical, relational or spiritual.

Health Resource/Referral Source: A Parish Nurse serves as a referral source to other agencies in the community and supplies information about healing and wellness.

Health Educator: The Parish Nurse presents and arranges educational programs dealing with health topics and may organize screenings for hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, etc.

Health Support Facilitator: The Parish Nurse can form and support discussion groups dealing with topics related to the parishioners’ physical, emotional and/or spiritual health and coordinates or works with related volunteer programs within the church. Examples include facilitating support groups for grief, chronic illness, divorce, healthy eating, and exercise all with a faith foundation.

 

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Sanford Parish Nurse Institute

PHONE: 605-336-2942 Ext. 28
FAX: 605-334-0671
EMAIL: jkaatz@oslchurch.com