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 parish nurse covers the following areas:
- health educator, promoting good health in the congregation and community through seminars, workshops, exercise classes and discussion groups
- health counsellor, available to assess and discuss problems, and support people through the challenges of life brought on by ageing, role change, societal and cultural upheaval, loss, illness or disability
- coordinator of care-giving volunteers, using the resources of the congregation, recruiting, educating and coordinating volunteers into support groups to meet the needs of people
- liaison person, referring people to doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists and community agencies, such as Meals on Wheels, district nurses, marriage guidance counsellors, social welfare and home help
- pastoral carer, recognising the relationship between the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of people’s lives.
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
Mt Barker seminar focuses on coping with crises
Fifty people attended this year’s LCA Parish Nurse seminar in Mt Barker on 24 May. They included pastors, elders, congregational visitor and carers as well as Parish Nurses. The theme of the seminar — Coping with crises — was unpacked through presentations on helping people face crises (Police chaplain, Pastor Terry Natt), responding to emergencies (ambulance volunteer, Maxi Milton) and helping people grieve (a panel discussion involving funeral director, Andrew Kleemann; Parish Nurse, Dawn Ehrke; and aged-care chaplain, Pastor John Wilksch). Pastor Robert Wiebusch traced the history of health and healing in the church, drawing attention to how God has provided healing for people from Old and New Testament times. The seminar was arranged by the LCA Parish Nursing coordinator, Lynette Wiebusch.
Coming events
AFCNA conference and AGM
This year’s Australian Faith Community Nurses Association conference, which will include the Annual General Meeting, will be held at the Blackwood Hills Baptist church on 14–16 August. The theme will be A Christian response to the care of older people. The study program will be divided into two streams, one of which will be AFCNA’s introductory course.
For More Information
For further information about Parish Nursing or the AFCNA conference, contact the Lutheran Church of Australia's Parish Nursing Coordinator, Lynette Wiebusch at lynette.wiebusch@lca.org.au
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