Becoming a Parish Nurse

Parish nursing is a specialized form of nursing that centers on the spirituality of Christianity in addition to traditional medicine. Parish nursing is a deeply rewarding and growing field.
 

Parish Nurse Job Description

According to the Presbyterian Church’s National Health Ministries, “a parish nurse is a registered nurse with additional training who serves members of the congregation and often people in the community as well.”
 
Most importantly, a parish nurse upholds the belief that the church is a source of preventative medicine in and of itself and that involvement in the church can help people to enjoy “living with ease.” A parish nurse's tasks include:
  • acting as a health counselor to help people deal with health issues

  • acting as an organizer of health support groups to assist the congregation with specific needs

  • assisting with the assessment of congregational and community health needs

  • helping people understand the relationships between lifestyle, faith and well-being

  • providing referrals and acting as a liaison between the church and its members

  • serving as a source of information about community health resources and services

  • teaching volunteers to recruit members and train them to carry out a range of supportive services.

Parish Nurse Education

Most parish nurses are registered nurses (RNs) that have already earned an undergraduate degree in nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or have earned more advanced degrees. Registered nurses can make important health decisions and take independent actions that less-qualified nurses can not. For nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another subject, accelerated nursing programs that require less than two years of additional education are available.
 
According to Marquette University, no specific educational requirements are necessary to work as a parish nurse. However, parishes and congregations generally look for nurses with parish training.
 
The International Parish Nurse Resource Center (IPNRC) has developed an educational program that addresses the skills and training needed to be an effective parish nurse. Over 60 educational institutions teach the IPNRC curriculum, and over 7,000 nurses have completed the various programs.

Parish Nurse Salary and Work Environment

Parish nurses find work in a variety of different locations, including many religious communities and congregations. Many parish nurses work part-time, while concurrently practicing medicine in a traditional medical setting. Others volunteer for the position without pay. Those that are compensated make about $15,000 a year for their part-time schedule.
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