Nurse’s Role as Parish Nurse in Faith Communities for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Nurse’s Role as Parish Nurse in Faith Communities for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

A major independent role of a parish nurse is that of personal health counselling. In this case, the nurse conducts health risk appraisal, spiritual assessments, plans for healthier living, and offers support and guidance for chronic conditions and other possible health issues. A parish nurse may perform these roles as an individual or in a group by visiting homes, hospitals, and nursing facilities. They also meet clients in faith community places of worship. Although some nurses may have designated offices, others tend to use the most appropriate space to their activities or clients’ needs (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014).

A parish nurse also engages in health education. They perform health education by publishing information to audience, spreading news and information, and presenting a wide range of resources for mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of clients. Additionally, they also conduct classes to address specific health issues, offer individual teaching, hold discussions, advocates for wholeness in health matters, and ensure that individuals understand the relationship among spiritual, body, and mind well-being (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014).

A parish nurse is the liaison between faith-based resources and community resources. As such, they help clients to understand that relevant resources are available to address their health-related issues, determine the most appropriate resources for specific individuals, and link persons with appropriate resources.

A parish nurse is also a facilitator who links the needs of clients to established support centers. They also facilitate changes to enhance accessibility to resources among underserved persons, provide meals, and reach homebound persons. As facilitators, they also work with volunteers and train others, including lay caregivers.

Finally, a parish nurse also performs the role of pastoral care by emphasizing the spiritual aspect of nursing and providing support during both difficult and joyful moments. In fact, the ultimate goal is to ensure intentional, compassionate care, according to the spiritual aspect of care to humanity.