Christians have always been involved in the ministry of healing. Christians have a long history of offering care for the sick, developing hospitals, pioneering hospices for the dying, and supporting those in need.

There are still many health care needs in our communities. In an aging population, health problems and isolation are serious issues. In an increasingly mobile society, people often raise children isolated from family support.

Health information is available everywhere, yet we do not have ways to find out which of it is applicable. Overworked GP’s are under pressure. Many people need help to access services, to advocate for themselves, and to understand their diagnoses or their health risks.

A parish nurse is a registered nurse with additional preparation in holistic ministry. They assist members of the congregation to become more aware of their health and to move towards a fuller sense of wholeness. Parish nurses are health advisors and educators, community resource liaisons and facilitators.

What does a Parish Nurse do in a congregation?

• Visits church members in their homes or hospitals, when they are sick, recuperating, or have particular health and wellness needs.
• Provides checks and advice on health-related issues, such as blood pressure, weight management, blood sugar levels, and personal health advice.
• Accompanies members to hospital appointments and advocates for them with health services.
• Provides referrals to community resources and assistance such as GPs, dieticians, counsellors, social service departments and voluntary agencies.
• Explains the relationship between body, mind and spirit, including prayer and discussion of spiritual issues, as part of the parish pastoral care team.
• Helps members adapt to life changes, such as deciding to move into a community resthome, or advising on childcare for a parent returning to the work force.
• Organises health and safety education, including health promotion events, health-care teaching with parent/toddler groups, classes with the elderly, stress management courses, alcohol and sex education with the youth, and emergency/first aid preparations.
• Develops self-help support groups as they are appropriate within the parish: stroke clubs, single parent groups, baby-sitting groups, bereavement care groups, pre-school play groups, parents coffee groups etc.
• Trains and organises congregational volunteers, when people in the congregation or community are in need of extra practical care and help.

Parish nurses are not expected to provide patient care in the church or at a patient’s home. They are a source of referrals for services available in the health system. They coordinate existing services and supplement them with a holistic dimension of health and caring.

When to Call the Parish Nurse

• When you want to talk about any health concern with a caring professional.
• When you face early discharge from a hospital stay and need additional support.
• When you are seeking information on a major transition, such as nursing care options.
• When you are dealing with a chronic illness and need to locate a support group.
• When you are caring for someone you love at home and you need support.
• When you are finding it difficult to prepare hot meals for yourself.
• When you are having problems settling your baby.
• When there are behavioural problems with a child.

The Parish Nurse will be available to everyone in the congregation. Most time will probably be spent with those with higher needs: the very young and the elderly.

Education about wellness and attention to the care of physical illness is at the top of the list. A parish nurse has time to spend with individuals to help them look at their lifestyles and understand their health risks, or to explain a diagnosis, or treatment of illness. A parish nurse can arrange for educational programmes to help a faith community understand mental health issues, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and random violence.

 

Our Parish Nurse, Hilary Black, has been a practice nurse for twenty years, and will be working in the Parish for 8 hours per week.

Phone: 479 4142
email: nurse@onslowanglicans.org.nz