Parish Nursing
Parish Nursing
Parish Nursing is a holistic, caring ministry that combines the education and experience of a Registered Nurse with some theological education. The Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia was instrumental in introducing the concept of Parish Nursing to Australia in 1991. The first Parish Nurses were appointed in 1996.
Currently there are 10 people involved in a Parish Nurse ministry in eight parishes and one college in four Districts of the Lutheran Church of Australia. The congregations they serve are located in the suburbs of State capital cities, in country towns or cities and in rural areas.
A Parish Nurse
- is an experienced Registered Nurse with current registration
- has had, or is willing to undertake, some theological education
- works in a congregation, parish, church school or aged-care facility
What does a Parish Nurse do?
The role of a Parish Nurse includes the following:
- Initiates and leads and/or participates in health-related programs that assist members of the congregation and community achieve wholeness of body, mind and spirit.
- Integrates faith and health for people in a way that is seldom offered outside the church. The spiritual dimension of the person is central to the practice of Parish Nursing.
- Makes home/hospital/nursing home visits to parishioners and others, as needed.
- Refers people to community resources (bereavement support, legal services, alternative medicines, etc.) and is not involved in Âhands-on nursing or the duplication of services that are already available.
- Coordinates community resources through networking with individuals and agencies, being especially helpful to people with multiple needs.
- Supports the involvement of volunteers in the congregation's health ministry by linking people who can help, encouraging them to build on and strengthen their capacities to understand and care for one another.
- Supports the involvement of volunteers in the congregation's health ministry by linking people who can help, encouraging them to build on and strengthen their capacities to understand and care for one another.
- Counsels individuals through a ministry of careful listening, conversation and prayer, encouraging and empowering individuals to become more active partners in managing their personal health.
- Partners with the pastor and other parish ministries to enhance the health, life and ministry of the congregation.
Education
Australian Lutheran College, Adelaide, offers a course leading to a Graduate Diploma of Theology in Faith Community Nursing. This is an accredited course, and is available by flexible education. Further information is available at: http://www.alc.edu.au/academicCourses/
An undergraduate Diploma of Theology in Faith Community Nursing is expected to be available in 2009, and will be offered as soon as there is a demand for it.
Short introductory courses are also offered from time to time in various locations. They are designed to equip Registered Nurses for a role as Parish Nurses, working in a congregation, church school or aged-care facility.
LCA in-service seminars for Parish Nurses, pastors and others are arranged annually.
News
Installation at Mt Barker
Rosie Price was installed as a Parish Nurse at St Mark's, Mt Barker, SA, on 20 December, by Pastor Peter Hage. She is the 23rd person to be appointed to a Parish Nurse role in the LCA.
Coming events
Study tour to Palestine
In spite of disruption to travel plans due to the volcanic ash cloud over parts of Europe, the study tour to Bethlehem and Jerusalem in April, organised by Lutheran Parish Nurses International, was a great success. With the theme, Following the Good Shepherd, participants met with a modern day Palestinian shepherd as they studied the 23rd Psalm. As part of their tour, the Parish Nurses provided a health fair for Ajyal (a unique caring ministry for elderly people in the Bethlehem area). The fair was attended by about 100 Palestinian women.
Next year's tour will bring Parish Nurses from different parts of the world to Adelaide.
2010 seminar
The 2010 LCA Parish Nurse seminar will be held at St John's Lutheran church, Tea Tree Gully, in suburban Adelaide on 24 July. Theme: Living with health and hope. The program will include:
Biblical perspectives on hope - Dr John Kleinig
Bringing health and hope when visiting the elderly - Parish Nurse, Angela Uhrhane
Hope when the outlook seems hopeless:
- When the diagnosis is 'It's cancer'
- When a marriage breaks up
- When tragedy strikes
For further information, or a registration form, contact Lynette Wiebusch at lynette.wiebusch@lca.org.au.
Links
Lutheran Parish Nurses International - www.lpni.org
For More Information
For further information about Parish Nursing contact the Lutheran Church of Australia's Parish Nursing
Coordinator, Lynette Wiebusch, at lynette.wiebusch@lca.org.au
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