Parish Nurse: Career, Training, & Certification

Parish Nurse

Recognized by the American Nursing Association, parish nursing is a field that has undergone tremendous growth from its humble roots as the community nurse. This career combines both the community-driven social and counseling skills of a pastor or other religious leader, with the technical knowledge of a registered nurse. The philosophy behind this type of nursing will vary from parish to parish, but is generally put under the umbrella category of Faith Community Nursing by the ANA. Someone interested in this career would need to have a great sense of compassion, and strong communication skills.
 
Salary Outlook

The salary will depend vastly on what organization the nurse is working for, as well as their personal experience.
 
Average Annual Salary
 $15,000

Salary Range
$10,000-$45,000

Work Environment

The parish nurse can work in a variety of environments, from community health clinics run by the church to the chapel itself. They may be out in the field in foreign environments, as many will go along on church mission trips. Difficulties in this position may include being on call for the parishioners at all times, because the parish nurse often is usually a spiritual mentor and counselor as well as simply a registered nurse. Thus, the hours can be long and irregular at times, depending on where the nurse ends up.
 
Requirements

Those who are interested in working as a parish nurse will need to first fulfill the requirements for their BSN, and become licensed as a registered nurse. Most parishes will require five or more years of experience as a clinical nurse. The needs will vary from state to state so a person interested in preparing for this field should check up on what the latest qualifications are in their particular state for registered nurses. In addition, for the parish nurse a good understanding of religious beliefs and spirituality is recommended, both in terms of their own and in the case of others.
 
Career Outlook

A qualified, licensed nurse will have no difficulty finding a job any time soon. The health care industry has already been experiencing consistent growth in the past decade, and is poised to go through the roof in the next few years as the major portion of the population grows older. Parish nurses are expected to remain in high demand as well, with a return to spirituality that older people often experience. This is especially true when their friends and family are no longer with them; more old people turn to the church, yet still need professional medical care. This demand is satisfied with qualified parish nurses.
 
Professional Organizations
 
American Nurses Association
8515 Georgia Avenue
Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3492
Phone: (301) 628-5000
www.nursingworld.org
 
National League for Nursing
61 Broadway, 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10006
Phone: (212) 363-5555
www.nln.org