[tnbutterfly]

I have been a Parish Nurse for the past 9 years, being part of a program sponsored jointly by our local hospital and area churches. I received my parish nurse training through this hospital. Currently, there are more than 30 parish nurses in this program. Although mine is a paid part-time position, some of the nurses in the program work as volunteers, working with smaller congregations. For the paid positions, the hospital pays 25% of the salary while the church is responsible for the remaining 75%. In some programs, the hospital pays the entire salary, while in others this responsibility lies with the church. Salaries differ from program to program, ranging from volunteer status to a stipend or a salary equivalent to a “floor nurse”.

It is difficult to describe a typical day or week for me. While there are some things I do every week, each week brings something new and unexpected. Much of my time is dictated by the ever-changing needs of the church members. I visit church members in the hospital, nursing home, etc. at least once a week as part of the ministerial staff rotation. Depending on the seriousness of a patient’s condition, I may visit more frequently. If someone experiences a medical crisis that results in an ER visit/admission, I frequently will try to be with them to offer support and explanations. When someone has a complicated surgery where the outcome is questionable, I try to be with the family as they wait. I also offer support before, during, and after the death of a loved one. These various activities can occupy much of my time. Since I am part-time working 20 hours per week, I have to prioritize my time. While I may have other things I planned to work on, if a more pressing need arises, I try to meet that need first. This is a draw-back of the position, as frequently I do work more than my 20 hours. Other things I do throughout the week include staff meetings, blood pressure clinic, healthcare counseling, and office hours. I also teach classes, organize blood drives, provide assistance in selecting healthcare facilities or alternative living facilities, provide in-home caregiver support, provide grief support, and act as a nursing student preceptor. I organized the efforts of our church to obtain two AED’s and provided CPR/AED training for our church staff.

One of the things I really enjoy about being a parish nurse is the relationships I have developed. When I visit in the hospital or nursing home, it is with people I have known for years. I am not just visiting them to provide care while they are there, but will also be available as they return home, and will be present to see them through other crises in their lives. It’s not just a job to me. You grow to love these people and it is such a blessing to be able to share those very difficult and intimate moments with them.

Due to the nature of the job, parish nurses have to be aware of compassion fatigue. Because parish nurses are often called upon to compassionately care for people they know who are experiencing serious illness, trauma, or even death, they are susceptible to the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual exhaustion that can cause a pervasive decline in their desire, ability, and energy to care for others. They must try to maintain balance in their lives and take time out for themselves as needed.

As a parish nurse, I receive so much more than I give. Rather than a financial reward, I take away the knowledge that I have helped my brothers and sisters in Christ, thus fulfilling the purpose for which God has called me. I am able to use what I learned in school in addition to knowledge acquired from years of nursing to provide nursing care in a unique way. I am able to offer words of encouragement, explain medical procedures, detect medical problems, and be a friend and counselor who can help church members work through difficult times. As a parish nurse, I have the opportunity to pray with individuals when appropriate. I try not to “preach”, but hopefully those to whom I minister find comfort in my words of encouragement.