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Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 140 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-120).

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Parish Nursing is relatively new, having its original Scope and Standards from the American Nurses Association published in 1998. At the same time the Basic Preparation Curriculum for Parish Nursing, which had been developed through the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, was distributed to Educational Partners of the Center and used for Parish Nurse instruction. This curriculum has subsequently been revised in 2004 and 2009, but over this time a study of the learning needs of novice Parish Nurses has not been documented. This study is an assessment of the learning needs of one group of Parish Nurses. The study was constructed on 11 prioritized Parish Nursing skills from the “Getting Started” module of the Basic Preparation Curriculum for Parish Nursing and consisted of three questions about each skill. Survey respondents were asked to rank 1) the importance of the skill, 2) the percentage of new Parish Nurses whom they felt were deficient in the skill and 3) how important it was to add more training for that skill in the Parish Nurse course. Answers to the skill questions utilized a six point Likert scale. Among other biographical information, respondents were asked how many years they had been an active Parish Nurse and to rank themselves based on Benner’s (1984) levels of expertise. Although the outcomes of the study are focused on the learning needs of novice Parish Nurses, input was obtained from Parish Nurses of all levels of expertise. A qualitative component was obtained from the textbox at the end of each set of the three skill questions. The comments gave voice to the respondents and enriched the findings. The study affirmed that the skill of ‘Keeping Confidentiality’ was unanimously rated highly and well done, but this is an essential skill to all nursing. The most variance came with the skill of ‘Making a Budget’. Many Parish Nurses volunteer their services to their church, often with a ‘zero’ budget to work with, so making a budget is immaterial. The study showed that respondents in general were satisfied with their Parish Nursing training and that of their novice colleagues. / Department of Educational Studies

Thesis (Ed.D.)--University of West Florida, 2005. / Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 256 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of an Advanced Practice Nurse in providing spiritual and nursing care within a faith community setting. The study will describe the process of developing a Parish Nurse program using a Nurse Practitioner to offer wholistic health care to parishioners. It will also illustrate the collaborative process of developing a free health center within a faith based organization, using the Nurse Practitioner to manage the health center and deliver health care services. In order to demonstrate the need for parish nurse care, the case study used an anonymous survey to provide insight into the health status of the congregation, as well as to determine perceived needs of parishioners. Excerpts from the researcher's journal and audio-taped interviews of parishioners and key leaders within the community was used to express congregants' experiences of receiving parish nurse care, and to convey the need for a free community health center in the target population. A utilization review was conducted to demonstrate the profile of the patients who have accessed the services of the health center. The findings revealed three commons themes of parish nurse care; presence, spiritual support, and health care liaison. The study also revealed parishioners had an expedited referral process and improved patient provider relationships. Additional findings determined that the free health center was able to be operated by many of the members of the faith based organization, and was effective in managing chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Advanced Practice Nurses who are Parish Nurses have an opportunity to practice in a more wholistic manner, and offer advanced level care to parishioners and the community at large to improve health outcomes.

Faith community nursing is one of the newest specialized practices of professional nursing. A faith community nurse is an actively registered professional nurse, who serves as a paid or volunteer staff member in a faith community. The faith community nurse promotes health and wholism of the faith community, its groups, families, and individual members. A faith community, as in a church, synagogue or mosque, is an organization of individuals and families who share common beliefs, values, religious doctrine, and faith practices that influence their lives. The faith community functions as a client system for the faith community nurse. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the experiences of Protestant faith community nurses "living the call" to health ministry. Previous researchers have explored the roles of the faith community nurse, but have not specifically investigated the experience of living the call. A hermeneutical phenomenological methodology was used to answer the question, "What is the lived experience of faith community nurses living the call to health ministry?" The participants were ten Caucasian female faith community nurses residing in four regions in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All participants acknowledged receiving a "call" to health ministry. A structured interview of 60 to 90 minutes was conducted with each participant. The interview consisted of structured and semi-structured questions and explored the meaning of living the call to health ministry. Data were analyzed using the phenomenological method of Max van Manen. Five themes emerged including: 1) the calling; 2) relating to God in living the call; 3) practice in living the call; 4) challenges in living the call; and 5) blessings in living the call. Participants described the experiences of the callings to health ministry, consistent communications with God and the challenges and blessings of faith community nursing. The practices of faith community nurses were also described by the participants. The findings provide a glimpse into the lifeworld of the faith community nurse living the call to health ministry. This study may be helpful to others wanting to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of the calling to health ministry as well as the experiences of relating to God, practice, challenges, and blessings.

The number of adults over the age of 65 years living with one of more chronic illness in the United States is an acknowledged health challenge for the 21st century. This qualitative research investigation examined the lived experience for adults living with one or more chronic illnesses in the context of a community of faith with access to a faith community nurse. Interpretative hermeneutic analysis was used for the phenomenological study. Findings indicate that the adults expressed their primary essence is living in abundance while living faith and living caring. The findings from this study describe the relationship between adults living with chronic illness, the community of faith and the faith community nurse. Further, findings from this study contribute to essential knowledge necessary for developing models of health care in the community for adults living with chronic illness and nursing care in the community that are distinct and complex. Findings will also support the development of interventions in contexts of faith communities to support and strengthen adults living with one or more chronic illness. The emerging specialty practice in nursing labeled faith community nursing holds promise to come alongside current models of health care to support living in abundance. / by Susan MacLeod Dyess. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, FL : 2008 Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Parish nursing, a specialty nursing practice which includes the spiritual component of integration of faith and health, has been growing rapidly over the last decade. Standards of Parish Nursing Practice developed in 1998 are consistent with the nursing process and include the spiritual dimension.