Health Ministry Nurse Roles
Integrator of Faith and Health
In all activities and contracts, the Health Ministry nurse seeks to promote the understanding of the relationship between faith and health.
- Prayer chain
- Bible study on healing
- Care baskets
Health Educator
Promotes an atmosphere where individuals of all ages, through a variety of educational activities, can explore the relationship between values, attitudes, lifestyle, faith, and health.
- Facilitates parish health fairs, stress management, workshops, CPR classes, forums, exercise classes, and support groups
- Facilitates healthy living/lifestyle change activities
- Newsletter articles, bulletin boards and resource pamphlets
Personal Health Counselor
Discusses health issues and problems with individuals, makes home, hospital, and nursing home visits as needed.
- Meets one on one
- Home visits, hospital, and nursing home visits
- Interpreter, helping parishioners to understand their diagnosis, prognosis, prescriptions, etc
Referral Agent and Liaison with Congregational and Community Resources
Referrals are provided to other congregational resources as well as those found in the community at large. The Health Ministry nurse acts as a “liaison” preventing parishioners from getting lost in the system by maintaining a relationship with key people in hospitals, nursing homes, social agencies, and clinics.
Facilitator of Volunteers
Recruits, coordinates and resources volunteers within the congregation to serve in various health ministries.
Developer of Support Groups
Facilitates the development of support groups for members of the faith community and people from the external community.
Health Advocate
Works with the client, faith community and primary health resources to provide what is in the best interest of the client from a whole person perspective; listens, supports and encourages the client to do all that he/she can for self; can be the client’s voice when he/she seems to have none.
Qualifications of the Health Ministry Nurse
- A registered nurse with a current license who is willing to actively participate in continuing education programs related to health ministry nursing
- At least two years of recent clinical experience, preferably in one or more of the following areas: public health, medical/surgical, emergency, or outpatient nursing
- Completion of Basic Parish Nurse preparation program (recommend the endorsed curriculum through the International Parish Nurse Resource Center.)
- Knowledge and practice of a holistic health philosophy: The ability to understand and integrate the interrelation of body, mind, and spirit
- Knowledge of and compliance with the Code of Ethics of Nursing, the Iowa Nurse Practice Act, the Parish Nurse Standards of Care, and the mission, vision and values of Genesis Health System
A Health Ministry Nurse is not:
- Just a registered nurse located in the church
- Just a compassionate person
- A direct "hands on" care provider
- There to administer medication
- There to replace or compete with existing health care or parish resources
