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
Introductory course in Queensland
In April, 10 people completed the first Introduction to Parish/Pastoral Care Nursing to be held in Queensland. The course was held at the Bethany Lutheran school in Raceview in suburban Ipswich. The possibility of presenting a second course in Queensland is being explored. Anyone interested in enrolling for such a course should contact the LCA Parish Nursing coordinator.
Coming events
Lutheran Parish Nurses International study tour
Parish Nurses from the United States, Finland and possibly also Pakistan will join some of their Australian counterparts for a week-long study tour to South Australia on 6-13 September. With the theme, HisStory downunder, the program will introduce participants to the history, structure and mission of the Lutheran Church of Australia, as well as the LCA's aged-care ministry and theological education opportunities. It will include visits to the Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills, as well as the 2011 LCA Parish Nurse seminar.
Parish Nurse seminar
The 2011 Pastoral Care-Parish Nurse seminar will be held in Adelaide on 10 and 11 September. The theme is Telling the story. The program includes presentations on the biblical basis for Christian ministry, guidelines for sharing the faith, and the importance of listening to the stories that people such as secondary students, aged people and refugees have to share. There will also be presentations by overseas participants in the LPNI study tour.
Registration forms for both the tour and the seminar are available from the LCA Parish Nursing Coordinator, Lynette Wiebusch: 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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