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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.
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Examples of Activities for a Parish Nurse
Health Promotion
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Blood pressure screenings
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Write articles for the newsletter
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Display a health bulletin board and pamphlet rack
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Arrange screenings for diabetes, cancer, strokes, etc.
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Work with other community agencies to serve as sites for health services
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Private consultations regarding health issues
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Group education for various health issues, i.e. support groups: grief, cancer, weight loss
Referral and Advocacy
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Coordinate plan of care following discharge from hospital/nursing home
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Contact physician's office for individuals that need assistance
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Guide persons to use existing community services
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Act as a spokesperson when an individual cannot act on his/her own behalf
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Meet with families to plan care of individual or to counsel members
Visitation
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Make home, hospital, nursing home visits to monitor health status, provide emotional support, encourage compliance with medical treatment, and recommend community
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bereavement visits by self or with clergy
Facilitate Lay Ministries
Interpret the relationship Between Faith and Health
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Assist families in time of crisis
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Stay with individual during surgery if family is not available
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Encourage the use of prayer, scripture, and devotional materials as aids to healing
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Incorporate spiritual values into health education
Communication and Documentation
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Communicate with clergy, church staff, health cabinet, and volunteers
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Communicate schedule and activities with church secretary
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Record pertinent information on the individual's record (Info will remain confidential)
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Record statistical information to be shared with Clergy, health , and program staff
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Participate in Health Cabinet meetings
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