Winner of the 2003 Fred Graham Award for Innovation in Improving Community Health

Dimensions of the Parish Nurse
The Parish Nurse Philosophy
Community Parish Nurse Program Sponsorship
Communities Served by the Parish Nurse Program
Other Parish Nurse Programs

Next Scheduled Class

Faith Roberts, RN, BSN, program coordinator at (217) 326-2683, or by email at faith.roberts@Carle.com.

egardless of faith or religious affiliation, any registered nurse that is a member of a congregation is invited to be a parish nurse. As parish nurses, registered nurses act as a vital link between the faith and medical communities.

There are many dimensions to parish nurses. They play a variety of roles including educator, counselor and advocate in their own faith family. And they are a source for preventative and restorative care, ministering holistically to individuals and families. One role parish nurses do not play is that of direct medical care provider.

The roles of the parish nurse include:

Integrator of Faith and Health, serving as a "translator" between faith and healthcare communities. With a knowledge base in both areas, many times the parish nurse can clarify issues and or reinforce the strong tie between faith and health.

Health Educator, providing educational programs to the congregation such as health screenings and illness prevention.

Health Counselor, providing individual health counseling services in the home or long-term care facility.

"Navigator" or "Advocate," assisting congregation members in finding their way through healthcare systems.

Referral Agent, finding resources and making referrals to agencies, organizations and support services to improve the member’s quality of life.

Developer of Support Groups, initiating and organizing groups designed to assist the participants with a specific issue.

Trainer of Volunteers, perhaps most importantly, recruiting and training volunteers to provide assistance.  

arish nursing embraces the spiritual dimension of the nursing practice in addition to the physical, psychological and social dimensions. In essence, parish nurses care for the body, mind and spirit. Parish nurses collaborate with the their faith community leaders to form partnerships with other community health resources.

Parish nursing services are designed to involve individuals, families and congregations as active partners in their personal health. Through this involvement, nurses help empower communities and foster an environment of understanding and support.

he Community Parish Nurse Program has been initiated by The Carle Foundation to draw a closer link between the church and healthcare communities. Through the training of parish nurses, the community addresses both the physical and spiritual needs of the population served.

The Community Parish Nurse Program provides 37 contact hours of approved continuing education designated for registered nurses. Religious organizations are encouraged to participate in the program, assisting communities to become healthier.

Communities Served by the Parish Nurse Program

he Community Parish Nurse Program represents 30 counties in Illinois (Indiana and Missouri) - Champaign, Clark, Coles, DeWitt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Ford, Fulton (IN), Grant (IN), Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, LaSalle, Livingtston, Logan, Macon, Mason, Marion, McDonough, McLean, Monroe, Piatt, Sangamon, Shelby, St. Louis (MO), Tazewell, Vermilion, Vigo (IN), and Woodford.

Our 81 towns served include: Arcola, Argenta, Bellflower, Bismark, Bloomington, Bondville, Canton, Carlock, Casey, Catlin, Champaign, Charleston, Chenoa, Chrisman, Cissna Park, Cropsey, Danvers, Danville, Decatur, Effingham, El Paso, Elmhurst, Fairbury, Farmer City, Fisher, Flanagan,  Georgetown, Gibson City, Gifford, Hartsburg, Herscher, Heyworth, Homer, Hoopeston, Iuka, Kankakee, LeRoy, Lincoln, Loda, Mackinaw, Mahomet, Marion (IN), Marshall, Mattoon, Milford, Monticello, Morris, Morton, Mt. Pulaski, Normal, Oakland, Ottawa, Paris, Paxton, Philo, Pontiac, Rantoul, Ridgefarm, Rochester (IN), Rossville, Royal, Sadorus, San Jose, Savoy, Springfield, St. Anne, St. Joseph, St. Louis (MO), Streator, Terre Haute (IN), Thomasboro, Tilton, Tolono, Tower Hill, Tuscola, Urbana, Villa Grove, Washington, Waterloo, Watseka, Westville.

Other Parish Nurse Programs

Advocate Health - www.advocatehealth.com/system/about/community/faith/advpnurs.html

International Parish Nurse Resource Center - www.parishnurses.org/