 Parish Nurse: A Servant of God |
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by Anita Krueger |
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Anita Krueger, is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church who serves as a Parish Nurse in Ft. Stockton, Texas. In a recent newsletter, she outlined how she views her role and responsibilities. I get many inquiries regarding my responsibilities as a Parish Nurse, especially since, functioning in the independent role of nursing, I don't do many of the traditional medical "nursey" things. I'll share my formal definitions: Integrator of Faith and Health is where the registered nurse functions as a "translator" between the faith community and the healthcare entity. With a knowledge base in both areas, many times the parish nurse can clarify issues and/or reinforce the strong ties between faith and health. This is by far the most important role, the foundation of my ministry. I believe that wholeness was basic to Jesus' ministry, and thus to the ministry of the church. John Wesley believed in the connection of faith and health. He even wrote a book on health practices! What Jesus offers is wholeness, abundant life - fullness of body, mind, and spirit - right relationship to self, others, and God. We cannot be all God intends us to be and ignore any one of these "parts." As we experience the healing Jesus offers, we are to put out our hands and offer to others the path of true wholeness. Another aspect of the integration of faith and health is helping people access the resources of faith when dealing with the realities of less than optimal physical, emotional, or relational health. These resources are real and available no matter how badly we're hurting. God is with us in our pain. We can access Him through the traditional Christian disciplines, especially through Scripture and prayer. Intercession and Christian community are integral parts of the ministry of the church. The role of Health Educator, is one in which parish nurses provide education programs such as health screening and illness prevention. This a role in which I am quite active. A great deal of the education I'm doing is bringing out the connection and faith and health . . . Personal Health Counselor is an aspect in which parish nurses provide individual health counseling services, advocating personal responsibility and aiding the client to become a good steward of his or her health. Folks are starting to catch on, at least informally as they now come up to me and ask personal health questions in the midst of the most varied activities. I guess that shows that they're getting the idea that all of life is integrated. As Navigator or Advocate, a parish nurse assists clients in finding their way through healthcare systems, and also works toward meeting larger community goals, As Referral Agent, a parish nurse makes formal or informal referrals to community services or healthcare services. These intertwine in that they require knowing a community well, knowing its resources, and its needs. Developer of Support Groups is a role in which the parish nurse initiates and organizes groups designed to assist the participants with a specific issue. The volunteer group at Fort Stockton is "Friendly Connections," an outreach to the homebound. Their area of service is to "connect" with those who have difficulty getting out for fellowship and spiritual nurture. We meet bi-monthly as a group and share. We have been studying Judith Allen Shelly's book, Spiritual Care: A Guide for Caregivers. It offers a solid Christian foundation for reaching out, knowing that we are all in God's hands, and His is the power. We expand out ability to be spiritual caregivers by offering compassionate presence, and know to leave the responsibility for change in persons' situations with God.
Date posted: Jun 05, 2002 |
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