Parish nursing: Providing spiritual, physical, and emotional care in a small community parish

Abstract

A health ministry council of parish nurses was established at a small community church to provide holistic health care to its members. The parish nurses work with the lead pastor and committees with its focus on wellness through health counseling, screenings, education, and referrals. Parish nurses’ spiritual comfort of congregation members during illness and end-of-life is addressed. The organization of a health ministries council of parish nurses along with the defined role of the parish nurse is identified.