How can we have a bigger impact in our community with limited resources?
life that includes physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing.
That means we need to encourage our congregations to make the connections between faith and health, between healing and wholeness, between spiritual life and physical activities. Not just for themselves but for the people who live and work around them. But time and money are limited so ...
Do you have any registered nurses with community experience already in your church?
They will have their professional background in health care, and, if they also have faith,can help the church to make these connections in their communities. They may be able to work at least part-time for the church, on a paid or voluntary-with-expenses basis. Resources and regional support are available through an annual donation to Parish Nursing Ministries UK.
What can a Parish Nurse do?
If you have other health-care professionals in your church, s/he can involve them too.
Insurance and indemnity are covered through the nurse’s membership of a professional body.
You would also need to send a job description to your existing church insurers but since there is no invasive treatment proposed if there is any additional premium it is not likely to be excessive.
Equipment needed can be minimal
e.g. a filing cabinet, documentation, stationery, a phone and a BP monitor.
If your church has already decided to explore having a Parish Nurse project, here are downloadable guidelines: guidelines for church and applicant : project checklist
Jesus came to bring life in all its fullness …Quote from a church treasurer
“We were able to access funds from local charities with a focus on health improvement in the area we serve. These provided for all the initial setup costs and paid towards the training of our Parish Nurse.”
life that includes physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing.
That means we need to encourage our congregations to make the connections between faith and health, between healing and wholeness, between spiritual life and physical activities. Not just for themselves but for the people who live and work around them. But time and money are limited so ...
Do you have any registered nurses with community experience already in your church?
They will have their professional background in health care, and, if they also have faith,can help the church to make these connections in their communities. They may be able to work at least part-time for the church, on a paid or voluntary-with-expenses basis. Resources and regional support are available through an annual donation to Parish Nursing Ministries UK.
What can a Parish Nurse do?
- Visit congregational contacts who have health-related problems, and pray with them as appropriate
- Assist the church to offer relevant help at a person’s point of need
- Give personal health advice and help someone to get the most appropriate treatment or care
- Liaise with the local GP surgery and staff
- Encourage the congregation towards more healthy lifestyles
- Motivate volunteers and offer training and opportunities for service in the local community
- Support and work with those already engaged in pastoral care
- Talk to church-based groups about physical and spiritual health issues
- Accompany someone to a stressful medical appointment
- Make links with other voluntary groups and agencies
- Attend and assist with services for healing
- Help your leadership team to care for their own health
- Work within the Code of Professional Practice (Nursing and Midwifery Council)
- A Parish Nurse will not do dressings, injections, and invasive treatments. If these are needed they are provided by the Practice nurse, or District Nursing service
- S/he will not give advice beyond the competencies for which s/he has been trained
- S/he will not put pressure on anyone to change their religion or join a particular church
If you have other health-care professionals in your church, s/he can involve them too.
Insurance and indemnity are covered through the nurse’s membership of a professional body.
You would also need to send a job description to your existing church insurers but since there is no invasive treatment proposed if there is any additional premium it is not likely to be excessive.
Equipment needed can be minimal
e.g. a filing cabinet, documentation, stationery, a phone and a BP monitor.
If your church has already decided to explore having a Parish Nurse project, here are downloadable guidelines: guidelines for church and applicant : project checklist
