Actually, churches are not new to health care. Many of our first hospitals were started from religious-based organizations. In fact religious sisters and deaconess's were many of our first nurses. Faith communities were the organizations that cared for people in need, brought people together and shared the joy of life with them. People are body, mind and spirit in make up and all three components need care for ideal wellness.
Parish nurses provide the link between traditional health care and spiritual health.
Lourdes Hospital started a parish nurse program in November of 1994. According to the ANA definition, a parish nurse is a registered professional nurse who serves as a member of the ministry staff of a faith community. Their role is to promote health and wholeness of the community, its family and individual members, and the community it serves through independent practice of nursing as defined by the nurse practice act in the jurisdiction in which he or she practices and the standards of practice set forth in the Scope and Standards of Parish Nursing document. Health as defined by the Scope and Standards of Parish Nursing is wholeness, salvation, shalom. It is the integration of the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of the clients system and harmony with self, others, the environment and God.