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Health Ministry

What is a Parish Nurse?

Parish nurses are licensed, registered nurses who practice wholistic health for self, individuals and the community using nursing knowledge combined with spiritual care. They function in paid and unpaid positions as members of the pastoral team in a variety of religious faiths, cultures, and countries. The focus of their work is on the intentional care of the spirit, assisting the members of the faith community to maintain and/or regain wholeness in body, mind, and spirit. Their practice is governed by the nurse practice act of their state, the Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, Faith Community Nursing: Scope and Standards, and the Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements (for nurses).

Qualifications include:

  • Must have an active license in the state in which she/he practices.
  • Is preferred to have a baccalaureate degree in nursing with experience in community nursing.
  • Should have completed an educational course to prepare for this ministry.
  • Should have specialized knowledge of the spiritual beliefs and practices of the faith community.
  • Should reflect personal spirituality maturity in her/his practice.
  • Should be organized, flexible, self-started, and a good communicator.

Parish nurses may be called a variety of names depending upon the faith community:

  • Faith Community Nurse – preferred by the American Nurses Association
  • Church Nurse
  • Health Ministry Nurse.

Services provided by the parish nurse include but are not limited to:

  • Health promotion encompassing informational classes, health programs, education through newsletters, bulletin boards and web sites
  • Individual care such as blood pressure monitoring, client advocacy, personal health counseling, and visitation
  • Spiritual care through prayer, spiritual rituals, presence, support groups, and grief care
  • Collaboration with the clergy staff, community social services, health care professionals, assessments of member/community needs and developing new services or resources for members
  • Sharing the denomination’s/faith’s beliefs and rituals to foster a sense of family and healing
  • Education for individuals, of any age, on specific health issues

What is the Mission of Parish/Faith Community Nursing?
The mission of parish nursing is the intentional integration of the practice of faith with the practiced of nursing so that people can achieve wholeness in, with, and through the community of faith in which parish nurses serve. The belief that health is a journey toward well being and is the interrelationship of body, mind, and spirit is core to parish nursing. Health is not merely the absence of disease. It is related to everything a person does, thinks, and feels; therefore parish nurses focus on the whole person as they promote wellness, disease prevention, health education, and healthy spirituality.

 © 2011 Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries, LLC.

Who is the Parish Nurse/Health Ministry Coordinator?

The Parish Nurse/Health Ministry Coordinator for SLC is Lisa Ottenbacher, MSN, FNP-BC, PNP-BC, ARNP.  Lisa is a retired Navy Nurse with over 26 years of active service. She is board certified as a nurse practitioner in pediatrics and family practice. In addition to volunteering as the Parish Nurse for SLC, Lisa works 3 days per week as a pediatric nurse practitioner for Kitsap Children’s Clinic in their Port Orchard, WA office.

 

Education:

Saint Olaf College, Northfield, MN

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 1983

 

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Master of Science in Nursing/Nurse Practitioner, 1990

 

Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA

Parish Nurse Basic Preparation Course, 2008

 

When is the Parish Nurse available?

Our Parish Nurse, Lisa Ottenbacher, is available Tuesdays and Fridays by appointment from 9 am-3 pm.  She is also available other days by request. Contact Lisa at 360-633-5042 or email: parishnurse@silverdalelutheran.org

 

What services are available from the Parish Nurse?

Blood pressure checks

Individual health counseling

Medication review

Immunization review

Home, hospital and long term care visits

WHAT IS CARE MINISTRY?

Care Ministry is a pastoral care model that enlists lay volunteers to serve the needs of others.  Care Ministers are trained to assist elderly, disabled, or chronically ill members and neighbors in their homes.  It also provides friendship to those in assisted living or long term care facilities. Care Ministers create a circle of friendship that provides non-clinical care – a break for family caregivers, or support during a health crisis.  The simple structure makes it easy to get and stay involved.

Care Ministers serve people individually or as a part of a mini-team of 2-5 persons. Care assignments are based on personal skills and the desire to perform certain services.   Care Ministers may be inter-generational; single individuals, families with children, or retired persons; all are encouraged to participate in reaching out to others in service and friendship.  Considerations for Care assignments includes skills, time availability and geographic location of the Care Ministers.

Services provided by Care Ministers include friendly visits, weekly phone calls, help shopping, help writing letters, assist with record keeping, read & share fun activities, help with light housekeeping tasks, yard work, minor repairs, prepare meals, run errands, take jaunts together, provide transportation, and provide respite to caregivers for family members.

The Care Ministry Team at SLC is always looking for additional members.  If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity to enrich your life and the life of someone else, consider joining. 

Please contact Lisa Ottenbacher, Care Ministry coordinator at 633-5042 or parishnurse@silverdalelutheran.org for more information.

Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00a - 4:00p 		   
     


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