What is Parish Nursing?

This section provides links to online resources that provide overviews of health ministries and the roles of parish nurses. These include sites that answer the question "what is a parish nurse?" and that describe the value of health ministries to congregations and their communities. Other resources offer guidance for organizations planning to start their own health ministry programs.

Information for Parish Nurses
The International Parish Nurse Resource Center offers a brief overview of parish nursing. This resource provides background on the philosophy of parish nursing, its root assumptions, mission, purpose, etc. It also provides a sample job description for the ministry of parish nursing practice, a sample budget and standardized basic preparation course content.

Scope and Standards of Faith Community Nursing Practice
This is a publication from the American Nurses association, written in collaboration with Health Ministries Association, Inc., which describes professional responsibilities and accountability for faith community nurses. View the product description and ordering information from the American Nurses Association and order on-line. To order by phone, call (800) 637-0323.

A Pastor's Manual on Parish Nursing
Using a question and answer format, The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod provides information to pastors about parish nursing. This resource offers scriptural support for parish nursing, advice on introducing a parish nurse ministry, the benefits of parish nursing to one's ministry, how to establish an effective working relationship between pastor and parish nurse, and the benefits a parish nurse brings to the congregation.