Methodist Medical Center, Kingston Church Team Up for Parish Nurse Program
 t isn’t uncommon for people to need spiritual guidance when they become seriously ill or to become physically ill when they lose touch with their spiritual lives.
 Over the years, medical and religious communities have worked closely to help people with their physical and spiritual health needs. It’s a tradition that Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge and Bethel Presbyterian Church in Kingston are continuing today through the parish nurse outreach program established in 1999.
"In their most basic form, parish nurses are registered nurses who are employed by churches and act as liaisons between the churches and the medical community," according to Lynne Burchell, manager of the Methodist Senior Connection and supervisor of the parish nurse coordinator.
"Parish nurses' activities vary, depending on their congregations' needs," she said. "They can do anything from participating in vacation Bible school to organizing hospice informational programs." They do not attempt to replace physicians and pastors, however.
Among the services parish nurses offer members of the church community are personal health counseling, health education, referrals, and hospital and human services. They also provide clinical expertise and support to congregational volunteers to broaden and extend their services within the church.
The parish nurse coordinator at Bethel Presbyterian Church is Debbie Hyder, R.N. Her primary base is Kingston where she works with local physicians' offices to keep church members informed about their health care options. With assistance from church volunteers, Hyder encourages healthy lifestyles, faith, and well-being through classes, health fairs, and educational materials.
"Basically, I’m an advocate for members with health care needs," she noted. "I work closely with Methodist Senior Connection providing programs and health screenings for our members."
The concept of parish nursing originated in 1986 with the Rev. Granger Westberg of Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill. Westberg concluded that a church’s members would become healthier if their church added a health care professional to the staff. The idea of combating illnesses with medical expertise and spiritual guidance was not new, but the idea of creating a position to do both was revolutionary.
As congregations across the United States began to realize the benefits of parish nurses, the position began to grow and change. Parish nurses began counseling church members on health issues, helping them understand the mind-body-spirit relationship, visiting church members in hospitals and at home, referring members to community health resources, helping them make important lifestyle changes, teaching classes on good health, administering health screenings, developing support groups in the church, and much more. Potential roles include parish/church staff member, personal health counselor, health risk assessment screener/monitor, health educator for groups and individuals, community resource liaison, or a personal and group facilitator.
While the job description changed, the original mission of a parish nurse remained the same: to help people stay well and to create a feeling of deeper caring throughout a community.
Spiritual healing and guidance play a big role in parish nursing, but there are also specific requirements a person must meet before becoming a parish nurse, Burchell said. A person must be a registered nurse with a current license and at least two years of clinical experience.
He or she must be willing to support the healing mission and health ministry of the church, have good communication and teaching skills, and be aware of various nursing and health issues. In addition, a parish nurse must know and comply with the Code of Ethics of Nursing and be able to practice confidentiality and apply professional standards.
"The parish nurse provides a link for the hospital, churches and the community," Burchell said. "Together, these groups work to make healthy living a reality for people living in East Tennessee."
For more information about parish nursing, contact Lynne Burchell at Methodist Senior Connection, (865) 481-5608.
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