Health & Education
Parish Nursing
The Parish Nurse and Health Ministries program sponsored by Saint Francis Medical Center in Grand Island was designed to assist faith communities in Central Nebraska to develop health ministry programs within their parishes and congregations. A full-time health ministry/Parish Nurse Coordinator manages the Community Health program. We recognize that each faith community is unique, therefore, several models for implementing Health Ministry programs are utilized in our region.
Each church is counseled, encouraged and offered educational resources to develop a Congregational Health Ministry Team within the faith community. When possible, we encourage that a Parish Nurse be trained within each church to coordinate the health ministry volunteers. We offer several options for education and training, depending on the needs and resources of a faith community.
Health Ministry Team Development
All churches are contacted and offered information and programming on Health Ministry development. Various presentations are then made to groups within the church (Stephen's Ministry Groups, Boards or Elder Councils, Women's Groups, etc.).
Volunteer Caregiver Training
A three-hour volunteer training for church-based health ministry volunteers is available. Individualized training sessions are offered for special needs.
Parish Nurse Education Course
The Parish Nursing Course sponsored by Saint Francis Medical Center is designed to prepare RNs with experience in any area of nursing practice to deliver holistic care in parishes and congregations. The course assists RNs who are practicing as parish nurses to strengthen their practice and prepares nurses who seek a parish nurse role to function in that calling. The Parish Nurse Course provides opportunities for spiritual self-assessment, and creative spiritual expression. The 43-contact-hour training course is offered to Registered Nurses. A 11.5-hour weekend "retreat" is held, with five weekly sessions thereafter. The course content is consistent with the ANA Scope and Practice of Parish Nursing, as well as curriculum guidelines of the Parish Nurse Resource Center. Since first introduced in 1997, 71 Registered Nurses have received certificates of completion. Greater Nebraska Parish Nurse Network Course graduates are members of the Greater NE Parish Nurse Network. A monthly networking meeting provides education and support for trained and practicing Parish Nurses. An assessment kit is also provided. For additional information contact: Diana Wing, 308-398-5799, or
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