Running head: PARISH NURSE INTERVIEW
Parish Nurse Interview
Nicole Rea
Concordia University
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PARISH NURSE INTERVIEW
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Parish Nurse Interview
Parish nursing also known as faith community nursing is a fairly new specialty for
nurses, but its roots run deep. “Ebersole (2000) reports that the roots of parish nursing are as old
as the ancient civilizations.” (Hickman, 2006, p. 4) The concept of parish nursing is to connect
the mind, body and spirit. By providing this holistic approach nurses can better care for patients
from birth to death. In the paragraphs to follow I will review the experiences of two local parish
nurses, and describe what their roles are for their congregations and communities.
Delores Roundey is a retired nurse who has worked as a parish nurse in a local rural
community. She learned about parish nursing through her congregation and after retiring she
joined the group as a parish nurse. She had over 30 years of nursing knowledge and skill in her
community. She reports that parish nurses do not do hands on nursing but rather teach, refer and
are resources for the congregation as well as the community. Ronda Anderson also a native
Nebraskan is a paid parish nurse through her congregation. She also learned about parish nursing
after seeing an advertised position through her own congregation. Both ladies state that they have
a great support system from both their congregations as well as their communities. Ronda may
have a bit more support as she is a paid parish nurse and may have more funds to care for the
needs of her congregation/community. Delores volunteers her time as a parish nurse so while
support may be there funds may be a challenge. Hickman talks about the differences between
these two roles. The paid congregational model as described in Nurse Ronda’s case is where
members of the congregation are served by a paid parish nurse who is a member of the faith
community. (Hickman, 2006, p. 24) In Nurse Delores’s case it is the opposite, she serves as a
volunteer and is considered to be a part of the ministry team of the church without being paid.
(Hickman, 2006, p. 25)
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During my interview both nurses describe their roles as advocates, educators, referral
agents, resource agents, and counselors. They both helped to organize and facilitate blood
pressure clinics, community wide health fairs, and health educational events specific to their
congregational/community needs. Because Ronda is a paid parish nurse she has to write an
annual report highlighting her activities for the current year. In her 2013 report she talks about
how her community grows, connects, and shares. She describes growing as “your relationship
with God”. For this area she talks about all the activities that happened to grow all members’
relationship with God through prayer requests, prayer groups, worship etc. For aspect of
connecting relationships with each other Ronda talks about their 14th annual baby event, the
church’s 10th anniversary ministry celebration, ministers caring for people in crisis as well as
many other events connecting the congregation and the community to keep strong relationships.
And the last of sharing and serving each other and the community reviews the happenings of the
congregation tend to the needs of others in the community like the homeless, VBS children made
dresses for the “Dress a Girl around the world” project, and over 250 coats were collected for
those in need. Nurse Delores also meets with her church board once a year to talk about the past
years activities and the Pastor makes suggestions for the following year. She also stated that they
have encouraged other congregations in the community to attend the meeting to help support and
educate others about parish nursing and why it is important.
Both nurses stated that they connect faith and health with their patients/members through
prayer, listening. Ronda explains how she talks with patients about God’s presence in their lives
and how to find his peace. They also both agree that each congregation and community is unique
and it essential to assessing the needs on a regular basis as things can change and grow with
time.
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Both nurses report great support within their congregations as well as local hospitals to
help incorporate faith and health within the congregation. Delores stated that they have many
support groups within the community/congregation and Ronda stated that they have healthy
treats quarterly. Ronda also describes offerings like Christian stretch and relaxation yoga like
classes called “Praisemoves and Wholy Fit”.
Both nurses keep their own faith strong by networking, attending prayer groups, worship,
workshops, keeping a balanced life, and as Ronda states, “not working more than I should!”
Parish nurses bring many benefits for all communities. Ronda and Delores describe the
advantages of parish nursing as a community resource for all. They are a resource for life, faith
and health. Delores explains that they are educators for members when they are ready and
willing to listen, and Ronda explains how parish nurses care for all community members from
young to old and how they are always have an open ear to listen to anything that may be on the
minds of others.
As reviewed in the paragraphs above parish nurses wear many hats. Even though parish
nurses do not provide the physical cares needed to help heal patients they do provide a key
element to the success for health and wellness for every congregation/community member. One
can see how important and influential parish nurses can be to those of all ages, and not only as a
paid nurse but as a volunteer. With the growing diversity of each community it is important to
have parish nurses to help assess the needs of the community and to help keep the members
whole in mind, body and spirit.
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References
Hickman, J. S. (2006). Faith community nursing. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins.