Parish Nursing

Columnist · Nov 16, 2018

I am an R.N. and considering starting a Parish Nurse program through a large area church. Any and all information will be welcome.

Hello! I hope I can help. I have been a Parish Nurse/Faith Community Nurse for 20+ years and continue to love this ministry as a wonderful way to serve and to put my nursing skills to good use. I think if I were in your position, I would start by looking over the Westburg Institute Website. They are located in Memphis. There is an annual symposium in April and you also might consider doing that. You can take an online course to train in how to be a FCN--there are many available. There is, of course, a cost but it's a great way to get started. Let me know if I can help further. Joy

MSNce1 · Jan 24, 2019

Joy,

I saw your posting as a Faith Community Nurse. I appear on Westberg from time to time and get the Journal of Christian Nursing but albeit there are other faith based nursing journals out there. Currently practice dual nursing as a faith community nurse in pediatric home care for special needs kids. Both child and parent (s) need much encouragement and support. I too believe nurse burnout is so common and such nurses who practice or are interested in faith support could use a faith based community nurse for inspiration and support. Thank goodness there are other forms of nursing that are not as strenuous mentally and physically. I would encourage such nurses to do some investigating into such sub fields of nursing at least for a break. Some alternatives I can think of are long term care, home care, office nursing or adjunct faculty teaching in ADN or still functioning LPN programs.