Parish Nurse Program
The Parish Nurse is a registered nurse who is licensed to practice in Oregon after taking the Basic Preparation Course for Parish Nurses. The ministry rises from the needs of the congregation and the nurse works with a health ministry committee to promote the health and wellness of the congregation. The American Nurses Association recognizes Parish Nursing as a specialized practice of professional nursing that “focuses on the intentional care of the spirit as part of the process of promoting wholistic health and preventing illness in the faith community”. The wholeness God intends for us encompasses the mind, the body and the spirit.
The first Parish Nurse at First Christian Church was commissioned to service in June 2007. The program began in July 2007 by introducing the health ministry at a Summer Forum presentation and also to the Christian Women’s and Men’s Fellowship. Congregational members responded very positively to the health ministry; the Parish Nurse immediately became involved with several members needing her services. A Parish Nurse column started in July in the First Christian, a biweekly newsletter, has been a great success.
In the Fall, ten members of the congregation formed the Health Ministry Council. Many of the members have health professional backgrounds as nurses, physicians, mental health professionals, pharmacists, and church staff including our Senior Minister Emeritus, our Pastoral Care Minister and our Senior Minister.
In January, the Health Ministry Council created a congregational survey to assess the demographics of the membership and to assess needs for health promotion and/or education in pertinent programs and events. The Council is in the process of purchasing an AED (Automatic Electro-defibrillating Device) and will train 20-25 members in the proper use of it. Another project in process is the evaluation and replacement of the First Aid Kits around the church. In early March, a Blood Pressure Screening is scheduled and a Pharmacy medication check event in April.
