The Practice of Parish Nursing

The Parish Nurse is a Registered Nurse with an active Michigan License functioning within the scope of nursing and in accordance with the Parish Nurse Standard of Practice.

The Parish Nurse Does:

The Parish Nurse does focus on health and well being with emphasis on health promotion that includes disease prevention strategies. This means the following:

• Providing health information on pertinent health related topics.
• Assessing physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
• Making telephone, home, nursing home and hospital visits that may include praying with a church member.
• Advising parishioners when a doctor or health provider needs to become involved in their care.
• Referring parishioners to a physician, home care or health care agency, pastor, social service or support group and (or) respite care.
• Providing personal health counseling.
• Coordinating blood pressure and other group health screenings.
• Teaching and facilitating the use of volunteers.

The Parish Nurse Does Not:

A Parish Nurse does not provide any care that requires a physician order. By definition a Parish Nurse does not give hands on or invasive care. This means the following:

• Prescribing or dispensing any medications.
• Giving injections.
• Administering IV's.
• Changing dressings or giving wound care.
• Administering catheter care, catheter insertion or removal.
• Provide respite care.
• The Parish Nurse is not a substitute for home care or a public health nurse.