The parish nurse promotes healing in the context of wholeness and harmony, balance with God, self and others. Their primary role is to personify the church's interest in promoting health and healing. Where an active health ministry is already in place, the addition of a parish nurse may serve to create an effective team to enhance existing health services. Because churches are attempting to meet the needs of both their communities and their congregations, there is an increasing demand for parish nurses.
Parish nurses are the heart of the program.
They are personable, professional, and work well with others. Together with the health committee, they design ways of responding to the health concerns of the congregation. Volunteer parish nurses often work before or after the worship services. As an educator , they plan programs covering health care issues important to the congregation. As a pastoral minister , the parish nurse brings a sense of spirituality to physical care and is able to help others tap into this rich healing source.