What is the History of modern Parish Nursing?
In the early 1980’s, Rev. Granger Westberg, a Lutheran minister working in the Chicago area hospitals, envisioned the concept of nurses working within congregations to promote health and wellness encompassing the body, the mind and the spirit. Do other churches have a Parish Nurse? There are about 10,000 Parish Nurses nationwide with interest growing in some foreign countries. Locally Memorial Health Care Systems provide the 33 hour training program for Parish Nursing. There are 68 Parish Nurses in the greater Chattanooga area serving 45 congregations and representing 11 denominations. In recent years, other faith communities (Jewish, Muslim and others) have embraced the idea of having a Registered Nurse available to members. The new name for Parish Nursing is Faith Community Nursing. Trinity has chosen to continue using the name Parish Nursing. Is Parish Nursing really nursing? Definitely yes! Parish Nursing (Faith Community Nursing) is a specialty nursing practice recognized by the A
