Parish Nurse History

Parish nursing is the result of the work of the Reverend Granger Westberg, a Hinsdale, IL, Lutheran minister whose efforts to unite medicine and religion led to the creation of the parish nurse program. Parish nursing was then further developed by the early work of deaconesses and other religious sisters who worked in parishes promoting health from a holistic approach. The first parish nursing program was developed in 1984 through the Pastoral Care Department of Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL. Congregations of all faiths are sponsoring parish nursing programs. Today it is estimated there are more than 6,000 practicing parish nursing programs, serving faith communities in the United States, Canada, Australia and other parts of the world.

Parish nursing has a spiritual dimension as a central part of the ministry, as well as a physical, psychological and social dimension. The focus of the practice is the faith community and its ministry. Parish nurses collaborate with pastoral staff and other ministries of the congregation to facilitate the ongoing transition of health and healing of its members. The practice believes that all persons are sacred and must be treated with respect and dignity. In response to this, the parish nurse encourages members to become more active in the management of their own personal health. The nurse also continues to embrace the spiritual, psychological, physical and social dimensions of the person as a sense of his or her own well-being.

What does the Parish Nurse do?

Meets individually with clients in the home, hospital or church to provide holistic care and support
Follows-up on hospital discharges
Provides health screenings and monitoring
Assesses the needs of the congregation and establishes programs to meet those needs
Assists with locating resources in the community
Supports the elderly desiring to remain in their homes
Provides information about specific diseases/disorders
Provides guidance for making healthy lifestyle changes
Serves as a resource to other ministries at the church
Works closely with other ministries to support each person in need
The Parish Nurse does not give direct hands-on treatment but empowers and enables the parishioner in the healing journey

Who can benefit from Parish Nurse Services?

Contact the nurse if you…

Feel lost in our increasingly complex health system
Have questions about a medical condition, treatment, medication or symptoms
Need help and don’t know where to turn
Have recently been released from the hospital
Have a family member or friend who might need to see the Parish Nurse
Need the reassurance and personal touch of a medical professional who will take the time to listen

11 West Cherry St. - Palmyra, Pa 17078 - Phone 717-838-3311 - John D. Merkel, Pastor