Parish Nursing Adds to Congregational Programs

  Interested in taking caring to the next level? Parish nurse programs are common in other denominations and are increasing among UUs, with 10 to 20 congregations having initiated such programs.

  Usually these programs consist of a volunteer nurse, often retired or semi-retired, who makes herself or himself available to address health-related questions. Parish nurses commonly do simple noninvasive procedures such as checking blood pressure. They explain medications and help members who need assistance in finding a family doctor or specialist. They often arrange for outside medical personnel to come in for flu shots, cholesterol screenings, and an annual health fair.

  Adair Small, a former public health nurse, became congregational nurse at Orange Coast UU Church in Costa Mesa, Calif. (250 members), about two years ago. “Nurses tend to want to help people any way they can,” she said. “Here we get to educate and nurture people in ways we couldn’t always do in our careers.” Small says she has 40 to 60 contacts a month with parishioners, ranging from health questions after church to nursing home visits.

  The program is sponsored by a large medical center. Orange Coast and 19 other (non-UU) congregations pay $50 a month, which includes monthly classes for parish nurses, flu vaccine, access to a speaker’s bureau, and visits by medical center staff for cholesterol and prostate screenings. Such sponsorships by medical centers are common and are part of the missions of those centers.

  Sunny Aldridge coordinates a “nursing and wellness ministry” at the UU Church of Akron, Ohio (289). She’s available for individual counseling on health issues and has seven other retired or semi-retired nurses who work with her, help with blood pressure screenings, and maintain a health-related bulletin board. The program has coordinated a flu shot clinic, a public health fair, and classes on stress management.

  Another Akron member, Patty Harding, relies on Aldridge for frequent blood pressure checks. Without that service Harding, who uses a wheelchair, would lose two to three hours out of her day visiting her doctor. “Having Sunny check my blood pressure on Sundays may seem like a small thing, but it’s been immensely helpful to me,” says Harding.

  Aldridge presented a workshop at General Assembly on parish nursing. Nursing programs cost little to operate if run by volunteers. Liability insurance is recommended, but nurses say their own insurance is often sufficient. Since procedures are not invasive, coverage is inexpensive, they say.

  A risk for volunteer-based programs is burnout. West Shore UU Church, Cleveland, Ohio (576), and the UU Congregation of Peoria, Ill. (263), have both put formerly active parish nursing programs on hold because volunteers felt overwhelmed or decided to retire.

  The Rev. Wayne Arnason, co-minister at West Shore, said that while the program functioned it was valuable for older members who would ask questions about a health concern and then could be encouraged to see a doctor. “Medical concerns are a significant issue in pastoral care,” he said. “Specialized knowledge that nurses have is very valuable. And a parish nursing program also recognizes that churches are places people come with a variety of needs.”

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