PARISH NURSING
A health ministry of the congregation
WHAT IS PARISH NURSING?
The church is a family that focuses on caring, sharing and wholeness. Your parish nurse is here to help you develop and maintain a state of well being.
Parish Nurses and volunteers support the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of parish members. They are easily accessible through the Parish. Contacts are informal, parishioner-driven, and personally-focused. Their mission is to promote optimum health in the faith context. Parish Nursing is a unique professional service.
WHO IS A PARISH NURSE?
a listener
▸ a health educator
▸ a health counsellor
▸ a referral agent
▸ an advocate for individual needs
▸ a facilitator of parish nursing programs, support groups
Please Note: A Parish Nurse does not duplicate the existing health and health-related services in the Fredericton community, but does utilize such services as needed through the making of appropriate referrals.
Things we hear about Parish Nursing:
✓ comforting to have nurses/team members present and visible in our congregation
✓ a way of reaching people.
✓ visitation by a Parish Nurse is comforting
✓ caring support provided by this ministry.
ROLES OF A PARISH NURSE
Integrating a spiritual dimension into health care.
Assisting individuals of all ages to recognize the relationship between faith and health.
Offering support for those undergoing health and lifestyle changes (grief, loss, diagnosis, etc.).
Provides or arranges for teaching and counselling sessions to promote health and to prevent illness.
Visiting persons in their homes and health care facilities.
Offering support to those with long-term or chronic illness.
THE PARISH NURSING TEAM AT St. Margaret’s
St. Margaret’s Parish Nursing Team recognize the privilege of being trusted within the church family.
The Parish Nursing Team includes Registered Nurses, retired nurses, the Parish Priest, other Health Care Professionals, and volunteers. The practice of each person within the program will be consistent with their current nursing expertise and/or accumulated life experiences and developing spiritual maturity. The ministry will take place at the church, in people’s homes, and in health care facilities. Parish Nursing is a confidential service.
Member of the Canadian Association for Parish Nursing Ministry
The members of your parish nursing team are:
Nancy Wiggins, R.N., Coordinator
nwiggins@nbnet.nb.ca
Nan Aird, Retired Nurse
Allison Burns, R.R.T.
Faith Cormier, First Aid Volunteer
Mary Louise Luck, Counsellor
Canon Jon Lownds, Parish Rector
Volunteers
For further information or consultation, please contact us at 450-0110. Ask for the Parish Nurse Coordinator
This ministry is a Free Service of the Parish of St. Margaret’s. Donations may be given in support of this ministry, and gifts to the Memorial Fund can be directed to support Parish Nursing.
Revised August 2009
