Parish Nursing is a specialty area of professional nursing that integrates nursing and ministry within a faith community. The focus of the Parish Nurse Ministry is to function as a healing and teaching ministry by following Christ’s example and seeking to care for the body, mind, and soul. This is accomplished by intentionally caring for the human spirit through health and wellness promotion, prayer, and emotional and spiritual presence within a parish community. The Parish Nurse ministry does not provide direct hands on nursing care but rather works to empower parishioners to attain physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness. 

Highlights from 2022

Registered Nurses and other healthcare professionals continue to serve in the Parish Nurse ministry throughout the Diocese of  Camden. This past year the ministry expanded its presence to be in 35 of our parish communities with over 100 volunteers helping to support the ministry’s mission of whole person healing.

Parish Nursing has touched the lives of   over 7,000 parish community members throughout the Diocese this past year.   Collaborating with community resources, ministries brought in presentations at local parishes focused on current health issues such as Alzheimer awareness and education, bicycle riding safety, CPR education and training, classes on nutrition, and programs on palliative care and hospice education. Parish community events including health fairs, blood drives and flu shot clinics were once again organized and reflected an   increase in parishioner participation from years past.

During this post-pandemic year, ministries have resumed previously suspended services such as monthly blood pressure screenings, individualized health education and advocacy, rides to doctor’s appointments, and home  visits by ministry members offering prayer and emotional support.

Through the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course, six new parish nurses were commissioned in our Diocese.

Parish Nurse Ministries and Grants help to provide parish communities with:

  • Facilitating and providing course materials for evidence-based health promotion programs
  • Educational presentations
  • Organizing parish-based health fairs with local community resources
  • Blood pressure screening equipment
  • Help with transportation to parishioner doctor’s appointments
  • Purchasing Automated External Defibrillators (AED) for parishes and parish centers
  • Offering CPR training classes at local parishes
  • Purchasing First-Aid kits for parishes and parish centers

Who is a Parish Nurse?

Traditionally parish nurses are licensed professional nurses with various degrees and professional backgrounds. They aim to blend their nursing experience in medicine, health education, advocacy and health promotion with ministry work in their local parish. More recently, health professionals from varying backgrounds in medicine have been integrated into this ministry as well. 

Recognizing that every health professional contributes their own unique healthcare background, we encourage and welcome all healthcare professionals interested in blending their healthcare experience with ministry life, supporting a holistic approach to health and wellness of the body, mind, and spirit to consider joining the parish nurse ministry. 

Parish Nursing Mission Statement

To serve the Church, the Body of Christ, as His healing hands reaching out to support and promote the health of the mind, body, and spirit of each person throughout the Diocese of Camden. 

Role of a Parish Nurse

  • Health Educator: Promotes understanding of the relationship between faith, lifestyle, and overall well-being by incorporating relative health information across the life span. 
  • Health Advocate: Works to empower individuals within the faith community by teaching self-care and promoting wellness.
  • Personal Health Counselor: Works with individual faith community members discussing individual health needs to promote health & wellness.
  • Facilitator: Works in the local faith community to organize volunteers.
  • Healer: Promotes a holistic approach to healing the mind, body, and spirit through education, prayer, and presence during times of health crisis.

Interested in Parish Nursing?

If you would like more information or be on our email list to be notified of future Parish Nursing courses, workshops, and events, please complete the form below.