December 27 , 2006 == MEDIA ADVISORY
Calvin College will offer another preparation course for parish nurses next
January, February and March.
Parish nursing is a 2,000-year-old tradition, partnering caregivers and
churches in a relationship that seeks to heal body, mind and spirit. Its
earliest roots are with the monks and nuns who provided care for the sick and
caring for the children, the widowed and the poor during the early days of
Christianity.
Although parish nursing waned for a time, as modern medicine took over caring
for the sick, the tide has turned. Parish nursing is mounting a comeback. And
the Calvin College department of nursing is lending a hand.
Almost 100 registered nurses have completed the 36-hour parish nurse basic
preparation course at Calvin College since the program began in fall 2003.
These nurses join more than 10,000 other parish/faith community nurses in the
US, Canada, Australia and several other countries.
The 2007 course at Calvin will be January 26-27, February 16-17 and March
16-17 with classes from 4 pm to 9:30 pm on Fridays and 9 am to 6 pm on
Saturdays.
Calvin nursing professor Beth Gordon says a parish or church nurse is a
registered nurse who works with a specific congregation to help church members
maintain and improve their quality of life. She adds that the functions of a
parish nurse will vary according to the needs of the congregation, but that the
various roles may include integrator of faith, health educator, health
counselor, referral agent and facilitator of volunteers and support groups.
A parish nurse usually does not provide "hands on care" or duplicate services.
Rather, the parish nurse partners with other health care providers and church
staff in responding to health care concerns and empowering individuals to take
a more active part in their health care management.
In 1997 parish nursing was designated by the American Nursing Association as a
speciality practice.
Nurses interested in the 2007 course can contact Beth Gordon at 616-526-7076.
-end-
Received on Tue Dec 26 23:59:14 2006
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