Parish Nurse

A note from your parish nurse, Susan Pfannenstiel

So……..what is a parish nurse? The parish nurse is a registered nurse who is committed to the concept of health ministry within a church setting. Health ministry is concerned with congregational and individual wellness of body, mind and spirit. Health ministers help the congregation care for one another, to help attain, maintain and, if possible, regain the best possible whole person health that can be experienced.

A parish nurse is not just a nurse in the parish. She (or he) is a nurse with additional training who serves members of the congregation and often people in the community (outreach) as well. She is in the independent practice of nursing that promotes health and healing practices from a faith perspective: she answers directly to and is evaluated by the pastor. She may work within a health and wellness committee or individually; she functions as a member of the church team.

As your volunteer parish nurse over time my role will develop according to the unique needs of our congregation. This role may include the following duties and responsibilities: health educator, referral source, volunteer coordinator, promoter of health-care delivery, personal health counselor and advocate within the confines of 8 hours weekly. I am obligated to keep confidential all information learned about specific individuals unless safety of persons is in question and will ask for permission to share specifics with the pastor as appropriate.

I am available at the church on Thursdays, from 10:00 am to noon for individual visits. I will be available Thursday afternoons for home visits and will accompany the pastors on visits as appropriate. I will be doing blood pressure checks monthly after services (second Sunday of the month and following Saturday). I am working within the Door County Parish Nurse Network on community health fairs for Northern Door (May 15, 2007) and Southern Door (October 23, 2007). I will be assisting with blood pressure checks occasionally after “Loaves and Fishes” community suppers.