[NurseforGod]

I just want to offer my time, to serve people in need of help in our community.

[rmperry]

Originally Posted by NurseforGod

I just want to offer my time, to serve people in need of help in our community.

Parish nursing is just one model of a health ministry program. I am currently a student in the health ministry certificate program at Andover Newton Theological School, and of the 12 in my class, only 4 are RN's. Anyone with an interest in the field can implement a health ministry program, with proper training and support. Go for it!

[hoss62]

parish nursing is helping other members of a church community or parish with their health care needs. As an LPN you could apply your nutrsing skills to this setting, but I would recommend some experience with community health nursing or publich health nursing first. At least some parish nursing course either as special student in college/university setting which offer such courses or through con ed programs. Be sure and carry your own personal liabilty insurance since the parish or cghurch will more than likely not have insurance in this area.

[susi_q]

Reality: anyone can provide the care of a nurse in the parish

Legally: per ANA standards I believe you have to be an RN, preferably BSN in order to be certified.

[rmperry]

Even lay people can provide leadership in a health ministry setting. As I mentioned in my earlier post, Andover Newton Theological School offers a Health Ministry Certificate Program. Less than half of the people in my class are health care professionals. If you have the proper training, i.e. from a theological school or university, and the desire to offer yourself in service to God, you can implement a health ministry program in your congregation. You may not have the title "parish nurse", but parish nursing is just one model of health ministry.

[Kudra]

a dear friend of mine in Canada is a LPN and a parish nurse... the parish dictated what qualifications they wanted the nurse to have and decided that LPN or RN would be acceptable...

[srluke]

Originally Posted by NurseforGod

I just want to offer my time, to serve people in need of help in our community.

According to the ANA one must be a Registered Nurse in order to claim the title "Parish Nurse". In the parish that I serve at, they sent me to oregon for the training (I'm an LVN in California). When I returned, I used the title, "Licensed Health Minister" as I can do everything that the RN/parish nurse can do, except claim the title. I do health education, patient teaching, health & patient advocacy, I do pastoral visits, I have participated in the development of healing services. I do lots of referrals and I am constantly talking to people about the connectin between God, Jesus & health.

I find becuase of the referral portion of this, that a background in community or public nursing or even social work would have been most helpful, but I haven't stopped simply becuase that is not my area of focus. Parish nursing is a "learn as you go" situation becuase each person you minister to is different and the needs of each parish is unique.
May God bless you as you explore this area of your vocation in nursing!:Melody: Blessings & Peace,

srluke,
Sacramento, CA

[FroggysMom]

Originally Posted by srluke

According to the ANA one must be a Registered Nurse in order to claim the title "Parish Nurse". In the parish that I serve at, they sent me to oregon for the training (I'm an LVN in California). When I returned, I used the title, "Licensed Health Minister" as I can do everything that the RN/parish nurse can do, except claim the title. I do health education, patient teaching, health & patient advocacy, I do pastoral visits, I have participated in the development of healing services. I do lots of referrals and I am constantly talking to people about the connectin between God, Jesus & health.

I find becuase of the referral portion of this, that a background in community or public nursing or even social work would have been most helpful, but I haven't stopped simply becuase that is not my area of focus. Parish nursing is a "learn as you go" situation becuase each person you minister to is different and the needs of each parish is unique.
May God bless you as you explore this area of your vocation in nursing!:Melody: Blessings & Peace,

srluke,
Sacramento, CA

This sounds wonderful. Sadly, the program where I live is strictly for RN's and my degree is 3 long years away. Although I've practiced as an LPN for 25 years, it isn't good enough.

[siouxcitysusi]

To srluke:
Could you advise me where you were trained in Oregon? I will check with local Faith-Based colleges and hospitals. "parish nursing" I like "health minister".

[srluke]

Originally Posted by siouxcitysusi

To srluke:
Could you advise me where you were trained in Oregon? I will check with local Faith-Based colleges and hospitals. "parish nursing" I like "health minister".

Check with St. Charle's Hospital in Bend Oregon, Lyn Bogie is the director of education there and she can direct you to the right place for training.

Blessings & Peace,
Carol Kent, LVN