Parish Nursing/Faith Community Nursing - An Opportunity to Serve!

Parish Nursing is an opportunity to practice nursing in a faith-based setting — a congregation and the neighborhood it serves.

  • Parish nursing assists the church to reclaim its healing roots, so evident in the early church and with monks, deacons, and deaconesses who were concerned with the poor, the sick, the women and children.
  • Parish nursing partners Registered Nurses and other caregivers with church staff, members and neighbors in a relationship that seeks to bring wholeness to the bodies, minds and spirits of the congregation.
  • Parish nurses do not usually provide “hands on” services or duplicate services offered by other health care providers.
  • Roles of the Parish Nurse will vary according to the assessed needs of the congregation, but may include integrator of faith and health, health educator, health counselor, health advocate and facilitator of volunteers.

Calvin College offers a Parish Nurse Preparation Program to allow registered nurses to integrate their faith with their practice in a unique manner.

  • Professor Bethany Gordon teachs this program that will award participants 36 contact hours.
  • Contact Professor Gordon with any questions at (616) 526-6012 or
    email her at bg22@calvin.edu

Parish Nurses113 registered nurses have now completed the Parish Nurse Basic Preparation Program at Calvin College. The next course will be held over three weekends: September 19 & 20, October 17 & 18, and November 14 & 15, 2008.  Times: Fridays 4:00 - 9:30 PM and Saturdays 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

For more information, contact Professor Bethany Gordon at (616) 526-6012 or email her at bg22@calvin.edu