Congregational Health Network

The contemporary concept of congregational nursing grew out of the work of the Rev. Dr. Granger Westberg, who served over 45 years as a clergyman and professor in medical schools and hospitals.

Congregational Nursing, also known as parish nursing or faith community nursing, is recognized as a specialty practice of nursing by the American Nurses Association.

The congregational nurse understands health to be a dynamic process that embodies the spiritual, physical, psychological and social dimensions. Congregations are viewed as communities of health and healing. The congregational nurse focuses on the whole person to emphasize wellness through health promotion and disease prevention activities.

The congregational nurse can have several roles, with the main one being that of Integrator of Faith and Health within the congregation. The congregational nurse helps the faith community re-identify, re-interpret, re-discover and re-claim its historic role in health and wholeness.

Health Educator

As a health educator, the congregational nurse seeks to raise the health awareness of the congregation and to foster an understanding of the relationship between lifestyle, personal habits, attitudes, faith and well-being.

This can be accomplished through the following activities:

• Blood pressure screenings
• Newsletter articles
• Educational materials
• Bulletin boards
• Classes and seminars
• Support groups

Volunteer Coordinator

By recruiting members of the congregation, the congregational nurse coordinates a team of volunteers to advocate for health ministry and to assist with programs and activities.

Health Advisor

While not replacing a primary health provider, the congregational nurse is available to discuss personal health problems and to recommend medical intervention when necessary. An individual may take comfort knowing a congregational nurse is a person of faith who can listen and pray, as well as understand the medical aspects of the situation.

Referral Source and Liaison with Community Resources

The congregational nurse draws on health-related resources from families, the congregation and the community. The WellStar congregational nurse serves as a community liaison and referral resource.

Colleague Support

WellStar congregational nurses meet regularly for education, fellowship and sharing of ideas. Programs are presented that would also be available for the nurses to use at their places of worship.