Parish Nursing

Parish Nursing is actually not a new concept. In Jesus' time, ill people were actually cared for by the church. Deaconesses were precursors to nurses. As time went on and medicine became more scientific, the responsibility for care of the sick shifted from churches to hospitals and healthcare professionals. In the late 1950's and early 1960's, Granger Westberg (a now deceased Lutheran chaplain) resurrected the concept of the church caring for the ill. Out of this effort the idea of Parish Nurses was formed.

So what is it?

The Parish Nurse ministry is a ministry of Christian service shaped by Christ's concern for all aspects of the human condition. It is a ministry directed to the service of the whole person as God has made us: body, mind and spirit. These components are linked together to make a whole person. The healing ministry of Jesus was an integral part of his redemption: restoring the whole person to God. He taught us that true healing is not to the body only or to the soul only, but to the whole person: Body, mind and spirit. In this sense, a Parish Nurse looks at a person "wholistically". The decision to add a Parish Nurse to the staff (in this case 10 years ago at Holy Cross) publicly recognizes Christ\rquote s healing ministry as one of the gifts of the cross. The Parish Nurse ministry provides another avenue to seek wholeness in Christ.

What does a Parish Nurse actually do?

Our Parish Nurse is Pam Boehle-Silva. She is an RN with 20+ years of experience. She has been parish nurse at Holy Cross for over 10 years and received her certificate in Parish Nursing from Concordia University, Mequon in 1996.

The Parish Nurse brings a multi-pronged approach to the health and healing ministry in the following roles:

• Health Educator - provides health and wellness information via classes, outside speakers, newsletter articles. Also provides individual education by helping someone understand a diagnosis, treatment plans, medications, and preventative care.
• Liaison to Community Resources - provides referrals to appropriate community agencies and services. Stays abreast of what is available in our community by meeting with other parish nurses and those connected with community services.
• Patient Advocate - provides assistance to people who are trying to wind through the maze of the medical professionals, appointments, tests, diagnosis and treatments. The Parish Nurse may accompany a person to a doctor's appointment, attend a hospital team meeting to discuss a patient's plan of care, visit someone in the Emergency Room or sit with a family member in the surgery waiting room. The Parish Nurse also assists people in filling out Advanced directives and planning for future care.
• Spiritual Care Provider - provides devotions of comfort and encouragement through scripture and prayer. This is a vital part of the Parish Nurse ministry. Works with the Pastors to provide visitation of the sick, the shut-in and the hurting. These visits may be done in someone's home, the hospital, the doctor's office, the lab, the ER, the skilled nursing facility at the church.
• Coordinator of Volunteers - in conjunction with the Health Ministry team, works with volunteers to coordinate meals, transportation, telephone calls, etc.
• Misc.
  • New mom and baby program (visitation of all new moms and their infants to provide link to Holy Cross, education and care).
  • Monthly blood pressure screenings at Holy Cross. This has resulted in many people being referred to the MD about high blood pressure. The parish nurse follows-up on those who are at risk.
  • Grief work with those who have suffered loss through death, divorce, illness, etc.

How do I reach the Parish Nurse?

Typically, Pam is in her office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Thursdays, by appointment). The phone number is (916)624-2294. Your may also leave a confidential voicemail on this phone. She is also available on Sundays before and after divine serivces. Her off days are Fridays and Saturdays. (She is usually off on Fridays and Saturdays).

Why would I call her?

• If you have questions about your health or healthcare including diagnosis, medications, treatment.\par
• If you need a referral to a community resource.
• If you need prayer and devotion.
• If you are sick.
• If you will be having surgery or a procedure.
• If you need help navigating the health care system.

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