Resilience Conference
Winter-Spring BOOKLET
In this booklet you will find local offerings and resources that can be useful for you over the next few months. Click this link to view the booklet
Gastonia Parish Nurse Ministry
Caring for the Body, Mind and Spirit
The Gastonia Parish Nurse Ministry is a congregational program sponsored by First United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church, and made possible by the gracious support of the Duke Endowment. Parish nursing (also known as congregational nursing and/or faith community nursing), is a recognized specialty that focuses not only of the body and mind, but on the intentional care of the spirit. There are seven primary roles that the Parish Nurse assumes in this ministry: health educator, personal health counselor, referral agent, volunteer coordinator, developer of support groups, health advocate, and the intergrator of faith and health. Care is directed at health promotion and disease prevention; focusing on the "whole" person, not soley on the "part" of the body affected by a disease.
Examples of Activities for a Parish Nurse
Health Promotion
Blood pressure screenings
Write articles for the newsletter
Display a health bulletin board and pamphlet rack
Arrange screenings for diabetes, cancer, strokes, etc.
Work with other community agencies to serve as sites for health services
Private consultations regarding health issues
Group education for various health issues, i.e. support groups: grief, cancer, weight loss
Referral and Advocacy
Coordinate plan of care following discharge from hospital/nursing home
Contact physician's office for individuals that need assistance
Guide persons to use existing community services
Act as a spokesperson when an individual cannot act on his/her own behalf
Meet with families to plan care of individual or to counsel members
Visitation
Make home, hospital, nursing home visits to monitor health status, provide emotional support, encourage compliance with medical treatment, and recommend community
bereavement visits by self or with clergy
Facilitate Lay Ministries
Coordinate volunteers to assist with various programs and needs of individuals
Work with health cabinet to meet the needs of the congregation.
Interpret the relationship Between Faith and Health
Assist families in time of crisis
Stay with individual during surgery if family is not available
Encourage the use of prayer, scripture, and devotional materials as aids to healing
Incorporate spiritual values into health education
Communication and Documentation
Communicate with clergy, church staff, health cabinet, and volunteers
Communicate schedule and activities with church secretary
Record pertinent information on the individual's record (Info will remain confidential)
Record statistical information to be shared with Clergy, health , and program staff
Participate in Health Cabinet meetings