My experience
By parishioner, Carol Jones
In 1983 Lutheran Chaplain Granger Westberg proposed an experimental program to assist parishioners with medical crisis. Granger recognized that nurses made the easiest and most natural connection with parishioners. Because of this, he enlisted six Chicago congregations, four Lutheran and two Catholic, to hire a nurse to care for parishioners. Health promotion became a necessary component of the health and healing ministry.
Being a parish nurse had always been a dream of mine. However, raising three children costs money and most parish nurses were volunteers, so it seemed out of reach. One Sunday, nine years ago, Saint Philip’s bulletin carried an announcement of a training program for Faith Community Nurses. I felt that it was God telling me it was time to pursue that dream. After completing the Faith Community Nurse training, I became one!
Six months later, I decided I would like to have a Health Cabinet to meet once a month to address issues that affect the health and wellness of our congregation. The cabinet consists of medical professionals and a priest. We currently have six people on the cabinet and hope to add more.
Faith Community Nursing is recognized by the American Nurses Association with standards of practice for this specialty. FCNs focus on the intentional care of the spirit—blending the parishioner’s faith and enhancement of a healthy lifestyle. FCN’s coordinate flu clinics to blood pressure checks, plan educational presentations, write articles for the Bell & Tower, and more. The holistic approach focuses on mental, social, and spiritual well-being.
Being an FCN was a great opportunity to work outside the hospital and medical facilities while allowing me to care for parishioners alongside the Pastoral Care priest. There were many opportunities to advocate, coordinate, counsel, and educate parishioners about a better quality of life. What a gift to be in the presence of so many wonderful people seeking to blend their spiritual and physical health.
I was also able to collaborate with outside groups such as ICS (Congregational Health Leaders workshops), Faith Community Health & Wellness Network (which meets monthly at Saint Philip’s), and Arizona Nurses Association Tucson Chapter 2 (where I presented a talk on FCN’s in 2017).
Being an FCN for more than seven years at Saint Philips was one of the most rewarding experiences as a registered nurse. I was blessed to be able to know and care for all of our wonderful parishioners. In the whole of my career, it was the icing on the cake.
If you know of a nurse who might be interested in applying to be Saint Philip’s next Faith Community Nurse, please share this information with them and refer them to our Health Cabinet chairwoman (Molly Ettenger, MD at mollye52@icloud.com). She can share details regarding hours and pay.