What is Parish Nursing?

Healing and caring for the sick has traditionally been the role of the church.  Even as health care is managed by industry professionals, congregations continue to respond to those needs through prayer, blessing, and laying-on-of-hands.

Parish nursing is a relatively new concept in nursing.  It is an intentional effort by the church to create stronger health ministries in the community.  Parish nursing attempts to bring to a congregation health services that combine care of body, mind and spirit.  A church nurse actively participates in the healing ministry of the faith community by providing health promotion and prevention services and serves as a personal health counselor, health educator and a referral agent to community health services.  A church nurse listens, comforts, and accompanies individuals and their families experiencing transition and challenge, through presence and a prayer.

Hi! My name is Linda Cooper and I am the parish nurse at Bruen Chapel.

A parish nurse is a registered nurse with additional preparation in holistic ministry. Parish nursing is rooted in the Judeo-Christian concept that we care for ourselves and others, as an expression of God’s love. It encompasses the physical, psychological and social dimensions of nursing practice; but holds the spiritual dimension to be central. It is a form of community nursing—in a faith community. The mission of parish nursing is to integrate the practice of faith with the practice of nursing in order to promote health and wholeness.

The role of the parish nurse varies depending on the size and needs of the particular faith community. The primary functions are-

-Integrator of faith and health

-Health educator

-Personal health counselor

-Referral agent

-Development of support groups

-Trainer of volunteers

-Health advocate

I do not give medications or do "hands on" nursing. I hope to be a resource as well as an agent in finding additional help when needed.

Bruen Chapel sponsors a Health Fair for the community in the Fall and participates in a Healthcare Partnership with INOVA Fairfax Hospital.