Parish nursing brought back by volunteers

[cougarnurse]

This is a nice story: Volunteers bring back parish nursing ministry | newstranscript.gmnews.com | News Transcript

After a lapse of several years, members of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Freehold Borough are reviving the ministry of parish nursing, a specialty of nursing that does not involve any medically invasive procedures.

Parish nursing, which is also known as faith community nursing, has its origins in the early centuries of civilization when nuns, monks and healers of various faiths and traditions went to the homes of individuals to administer care of the mind, body and spirit.

"Parish nursing recaptures these practices to promote health and healing in modern times," said Nelia Doropan, a quality management nurse who is coordinating this health care ministry for St. Rose of Lima Parish.

"We are just evolving and our focus is to start simple and clear to achieve successful projects," Doropan said.

After posting notices for a few months in the parish bulletin seeking volunteers and then holding three meetings, the core group now consists of seven nurses and one dietitian, said Doropan, a resident of Freehold Township.

"We work with the support of the parish administration and Sister Claire McNichol, our pastoral associate, to serve the needs of the members of St. Rose Parish as a work of God," said Doropan, who has a master of science degree in nursing from Kean University, Union. "All members are volunteers and anyone with health related skills or experience is welcome to join in our projects."

Eventually, she said, non-medical volunteers will be needed to help with the ministry. The group's first scheduled project, a blood pressure screening, is slated for early October after some of the church's Masses.

According to parish office records, more than 3,500 families are registered in St. Rose Parish.

"The screening is our first step in establishing parish nursing," said Doropan, a member of St. Rose for more than 20 years. "Right now we are looking for donations of blood pressure monitors, especially manual ones, to use during the screening and afterward."

Not too far from Freehold, parish nursing has been established in St. Joseph's Parish in Keyport since 1999 and serves the surrounding community, not only parish members.

"Parish nursing is not a hands-on health ministry," said Wendy Walnock, who works as a paid employee as the St. Joseph's parish nurse coordinator. "There is no changing of bandages or giving injections. It's a ministry of presence and listening."

She said the first steps in establishing parish nursing at St. Joseph's were to receive the support of the pastor, the Rev. Ron Cioffi, and start a community outreach to survey the parish and the surrounding area to find what medical interests people had.

"I met with other ministers in the area and visited senior centers," said Walnock, a native of Matawan who is a Methodist. "I also prayed a lot and we developed into an ecumenical practice of parish nursing."

Presently, she said, the parish nursing team consists of 12 nurse volunteers and 15 non-medical volunteers. They average five to six home visitations a week and work with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, an organization that helps people in need regardless of race, age or creed.

"We accept referrals, but the people requesting assistance must call us directly," said Walnock, a former Navy registered nurse who received her bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Bridgeport, Ct. "When they call, we know they are ready to receive help."

Monthly medical screenings after Sunday Masses and articles on current medical topics in the church bulletin plus serving as an advocate for people needing help with their medications or medical treatment are some of the activities of parish nursing at St. Joseph's, she said.

Two new areas, said Walnock, who was the school nurse for St. Joseph's Elementary School that has now closed, may include an integrated wellness program for caregivers of preschool children and a certification program, "12 Steps of Spiritual Vitality," that looks at aging in a positive manner.

Retired nurses, with their wealth of knowledge and experience, are welcomed in parish nursing, she said. Though it is recommended that all nurses continue to carry their own liability insurance, Walnock said her understanding is that the Diocese of Trenton, that includes St. Rose of Lima and St. Joseph's parishes, covers liability for the ministry as long as the strict guidelines of the practice of nursing are followed.

"I feel parish nursing is a privileged journey I travel to help people in their mind, body and spirit," said Walnock. "We can't help everyone, but the essence of parish nursing is that you care."

For parish nursing information in the St. Rose of Lima Parish, call 732-462-0859, and in St. Joseph's Parish, call 732-739-4075.

[Ricu]

This is a nice story: Volunteers bring back parish nursing ministry | newstranscript.gmnews.com | News Transcript

After a lapse of several years, members of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Freehold Borough are reviving the ministry of parish nursing, a specialty of nursing that does not involve any medically invasive procedures.

Parish nursing, which is also known as faith community nursing, has its origins in the early centuries of civilization when nuns, monks and healers of various faiths and traditions went to the homes of individuals to administer care of the mind, body and spirit.

"Parish nursing recaptures these practices to promote health and healing in modern times," said Nelia Doropan, a quality management nurse who is coordinating this health care ministry for St. Rose of Lima Parish.

"We are just evolving and our focus is to start simple and clear to achieve successful projects," Doropan said.

After posting notices for a few months in the parish bulletin seeking volunteers and then holding three meetings, the core group now consists of seven nurses and one dietitian, said Doropan, a resident of Freehold Township.

"We work with the support of the parish administration and Sister Claire McNichol, our pastoral associate, to serve the needs of the members of St. Rose Parish as a work of God," said Doropan, who has a master of science degree in nursing from Kean University, Union. "All members are volunteers and anyone with health related skills or experience is welcome to join in our projects."

Eventually, she said, non-medical volunteers will be needed to help with the ministry. The group's first scheduled project, a blood pressure screening, is slated for early October after some of the church's Masses.

According to parish office records, more than 3,500 families are registered in St. Rose Parish.

"The screening is our first step in establishing parish nursing," said Doropan, a member of St. Rose for more than 20 years. "Right now we are looking for donations of blood pressure monitors, especially manual ones, to use during the screening and afterward."

Not too far from Freehold, parish nursing has been established in St. Joseph's Parish in Keyport since 1999 and serves the surrounding community, not only parish members.

"Parish nursing is not a hands-on health ministry," said Wendy Walnock, who works as a paid employee as the St. Joseph's parish nurse coordinator. "There is no changing of bandages or giving injections. It's a ministry of presence and listening."

She said the first steps in establishing parish nursing at St. Joseph's were to receive the support of the pastor, the Rev. Ron Cioffi, and start a community outreach to survey the parish and the surrounding area to find what medical interests people had.

"I met with other ministers in the area and visited senior centers," said Walnock, a native of Matawan who is a Methodist. "I also prayed a lot and we developed into an ecumenical practice of parish nursing."

Presently, she said, the parish nursing team consists of 12 nurse volunteers and 15 non-medical volunteers. They average five to six home visitations a week and work with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, an organization that helps people in need regardless of race, age or creed.

"We accept referrals, but the people requesting assistance must call us directly," said Walnock, a former Navy registered nurse who received her bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Bridgeport, Ct. "When they call, we know they are ready to receive help."

Monthly medical screenings after Sunday Masses and articles on current medical topics in the church bulletin plus serving as an advocate for people needing help with their medications or medical treatment are some of the activities of parish nursing at St. Joseph's, she said.

Two new areas, said Walnock, who was the school nurse for St. Joseph's Elementary School that has now closed, may include an integrated wellness program for caregivers of preschool children and a certification program, "12 Steps of Spiritual Vitality," that looks at aging in a positive manner.

Retired nurses, with their wealth of knowledge and experience, are welcomed in parish nursing, she said. Though it is recommended that all nurses continue to carry their own liability insurance, Walnock said her understanding is that the Diocese of Trenton, that includes St. Rose of Lima and St. Joseph's parishes, covers liability for the ministry as long as the strict guidelines of the practice of nursing are followed.

"I feel parish nursing is a privileged journey I travel to help people in their mind, body and spirit," said Walnock. "We can't help everyone, but the essence of parish nursing is that you care."

For parish nursing information in the St. Rose of Lima Parish, call 732-462-0859, and in St. Joseph's Parish, call 732-739-4075.

Cool story, especially since it is set in the town where I grew up. For several years we've been working on doing this in my own Parish, now far away from St. Rose.

R.

[suebird3]

Pretty cool, Ricu! Maybe you can contact them for info as to how to make it work?

[Ricu]

Pretty cool, Ricu! Maybe you can contact them for info as to how to make it work?

We havn't done a whole lot recently cuz some of us are focused elsewhere at present. That doesn't mean we can't get back on track. Good idea, Sue.

Thanks,

R