The Ins and Outs of Parish Nursing
What's a parish nurse, you ask? Parish nurses address the health needs of both the body and the spirit. Parish nursing has been shown to be an effective first line of medical defense, because people are generally more willing to see their parish nurse about a problem than go to the doctor's office.
Connections that Heal
There has always been a connection between religion and the practice of medicine. Healing is a process that involves the mind as well as the body, and a deep faith can help prepare the mind to speed up the healing process. The religious community recognizes this connection, and many congregations are starting to employ parish nurses as liaisons between congregations and the medical field. Parish nursing employs registered nurses to minister programs within congregations to encourage health and wellness.Parish Nursing Degree Programs Train Health Leaders
Those who get into parish nursing generally enroll in a parish nursing degree program. These degree programs can be offered in conjunction with undergraduate nursing degree programs, or as a stand alone course for those who have already graduated from nursing school. Parish nursing degree programs apply what a student has learned as a registered nurse to a religious setting. They have to advise their congregations on a number of different health and social issues, including pregnancy, sex, addiction, and aging.Earn an Online Degree in Parish Nursing
Because most parish nursing programs teach nurses how to create health ministries within religious congregations, much of the coursework generally centers on organization building. Because this work doesn't involve a lot of detailed science education, many have found it more convenient to earn an online degree in parish nursing. Online degree programs are very useful for conceptual subjects that don't require very much face time with instructors and/or physical learning tools. If you're a practicing nurse who wants to get into the parish nursing profession, you may want to enroll in an online degree program that allows you to balance your current job with your new educational responsibilities.Now that you are armed with a brief introduction into the world of parish nursing, the next step is yours. Is parish nursing a field that you can see yourself build a career around?
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About the Author
Kirk Bangstad is a singer living in Chicago, IL. Having received his B.A. in Government at Harvard, Kirk previously worked as a management consultant.
