Parish Nurses

My hometown newspaper The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an article today about the pivotal role of parish nurses. Parish nurses are usually registered nurses who are either hired by or volunteer at churches, to provide care for parishioners. But because they have a unique opportunity to build a sustained relationship with the individual patient and the community of patients, they can provide care in the context of the patient's spiritual and home life, and as such, are able to care for the whole person. In their trusted role, they can also help patients prepare for physicians visits, with pre-interviews to help patients prepare for doctor's appointments, and post-interviews to help patients put doctor's orders into practice.

These nurses play an important role in helping patients navigate the health care system, but also act as a warm and caring extension of the ministry of their respective churches.

You can find the article here: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=741547