Parish Nursing

First Presbyterian Church

525 N. Broadway

Wichita, Kansas 67214

To contact us:

525 N. Broadway, Wichita, Kansas 67214

Phone: 316-263-0248—Fax: 316-263-3237

Questions or Comments? email Janet

Phone: 316-263-0248

Fax: 316-263-3237

Email: info@firstpresbywichita.org

Parish Nursing at First Presbyterian Church

“ I was sick and you visited me.”

Matthew 25:36

“Say to him: ‘long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all this is yours!”

1 Samuel 25:6

Mission Statement: To honor God by service to God’s people through the promotion of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

What is parish nursing? Parish nursing is a non-medical, wholistic model of caring for people within the faith community. Specially trained Registered nurses promote wellness to the whole person (body, mind, and spirit).

The roles of the parish nurse are:

Personal health adviser—Discuss health issues; make hospital, home, and nursing home visits.

Health educator—Promotes an atmosphere, through a variety of educational activities, where individuals can explore the relationship between values, attitudes, lifestyle, faith and health.

Referral agent and liaison with congregational and community resources.

Facilitator of volunteers—Recruits and coordinates volunteers to help with health ministries.

Integrator of faith and health—Seeks to promote the relationship between faith and health.

Developer of support groups—Facilitates the development of support groups in the congregation and the external community.

Health advocate—Supports the person wholistically by listening and acting as their voice when they seem to have none.

How your Parish Nurse can help you:

· Assess health needs, physical and emotional as well as spiritual

· Provide healthcare information and education to members

· Conduct blood pressure screenings before/after church services

· Home, hospital, or nursing home visits

· Go to doctor appointments with congregational members to be another “ear”

· Facilitate support groups and exercise programs; coordinate care teams as needed

· Refer members to resources in the community to meet health care needs (chronic illnesses, care facilities, etc.)

· Refer members to the pastoral care team for follow up

Parish nurses do not:

· Replace someone’s regular healthcare professional—we are not Home Health nurses

· Provide direct patient care (medications, wound care, etc.)

The parish nurse ministry at First Presbyterian is part of a larger organization. Kansas Parish Nurse Ministry, Inc., (KPNM) is a not-for-profit organization of parish nurses across the state which sponsor educational events and provide resources to faith communities. In addition to 10 hours a week at FPC, JoVeta serves as the Executive Director for the organization and therefore travels across the state helping churches of all denominations begin and troubleshoot programs. JoVeta is also very involved in national and international parish nurse group (www.KansasParishNurseMinistry.org).

KPNM is currently working with Kansas Headstart on a grant project. FPC families who have children under 3 or 4 years of age and are interested in receiving a FREE book about your children’s illnesses please let JoVeta know and she will visit with you to explain the contents of the book. This is one of the best, clear-cut books available—and another advantage of having a parish nurse program here at FPC.

Parish nurses at FPC are: Joan Aldrich and JoVeta Wescott.

Our parish nurses are passionate about their ministry. It is a beautiful way to serve God in and through His healing ministry.

If you have any questions please email or contact Joan or JoVeta at 263-0248.

Blessings to each of you from us. . .