A Parish Nurse is a professional registered nurse in a staff position within a Christian congregation or health care organization. As a member of the faith community and the health care system, the Parish Nurse links faith and health to combine professional nursing practice within the Christian ministry.
Parish Nurses focus primarily on preventative health and spiritual care. The Parish Nurse is a catalyst in promoting the health, healing and wholeness of individuals, families, congregations and the wider community.
Parish Nursing is an autonomous professional role, but as a position within a church it is a shared role. In collaboration with pastors, other professionals, and lay workers from within the local congregation and the wider community, Parish Nurses may be involved in various health-related activities geared to all age levels.
Concordia’s Parish Nursing Program consists of three 3-credit courses leading to certification: Parish Nursing 302, Parish Nursing 375, and Parish Nursing 485. Students who do not wish to pursue certification can choose to take only one or two of the courses or to audit the courses. Offered over a period of 2 years, these courses are taught through distance delivery which makes the program accessible to nurses from across North America and the world.
Principles for effective leadership; styles of leadership, parish organizational structures, and models of team ministry skills to work with volunteers. Decision making, problem solving, and dealing with conflict and conflict resolution. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of PN 302 or PS 302.
An examination of Christian doctrines from their Biblical roots to their confessional restatement in the creeds and confessions of the Christian church, with specific emphasis upon Lutheran faith and practice. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of REL 375 or PN 375.
An introduction to the basic concepts of the newly-emerging professional practice of parish nursing which has as its basis the Christian faith and seeks health promotion with a preventative focus, through church ministry. At its center is spiritual care with faith and health clearly linked. The attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed for the role of "parish nurse" in a local Christian church, a health-related organization, or other community context, are systematically examined. Specific functions of the role (e.g., health education, personal health counseling, advocacy, and linking to resources) are described and important practical issues regarding parish nursing practices and professional standards are addressed.
Parish Nursing courses are designed for distance delivery to meet the needs of a geographically dispersed professional student body. Parish Nursing students are not physically present on Concordia’s campus, but communicate online with instructors and classmates while remaining engaged in their local congregations and communities as they move through their coursework. Concordia uses a variety of distance friendly delivery methods including web-based course platforms, telephone contact, and correspondence.
PN 485: Parish Nursing, Sep. 2 to Dec. 2 with finals Dec. 5 - 15
PN 302: Parish Administration and Team Ministry, Sep. to Dec.
PN 375: Christian Doctrine, Jan. to Apr.
Program assessment and improvement are primary and on-going objectives for all of Concordia's church work programs. The Parish Nursing program was developed with the input of both parish and nursing professionals to build on the foundation of work and experience that registered nurses already have. Concordia University College of Alberta is a member of the Canadian Association for Parish Nursing Ministry (CAPNM), stays current with developments in the field, and ensures that student evaluations are completed after every course. During the academic year 2005-2006, Concordia carried out an extensive program review with input from graduates, current students, and parish nursing experts. These on-going evaluative initiatives ensure quality, timely evolution of course content, use of innovative delivery methods, and ultimately, student satisfaction.
Concordia has established itself as a quality educational institution due to the efforts and accomplishments of its people - its faculty, staff, and students. The university college recognizes that people are its most important resource and places the highest value on all its members. The Parish Nursing Program is fortunate to have dedicated and professional professors (both full-time and adjunct) who greatly enrich the learning experience for our students.
Our current instructors include:
Dr. Glenn Schaeffer
Dr. Paul Schoepp
Professor Angela Clifton
For the 2009-2010 academic year, Parish Nursing tuition fees are $822.75 per 3-credit course; this amount includes the education fee and mandatory fees for building, technology, and processing (distance education students are not required to pay the mandatory fees for accident insurance, student association, or athletics). A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is due before students may register in the course. Detailed information about fees and deposits can be obtained from Student Accounts, phone 780-479-9297 or toll-free at 1-866-479-5200, extension 297. Email studentaccts@concordia.ab.ca.
The Parish Nursing program is open only to licensed Registered Nurses. Students apply to Concordia for admission to the Open Studies program (section 3.6 of the Calendar). To apply, you must present:
To request a Parish Nursing application package, email admits@concordia.ab.ca or call 1-866-479-5200: extension 348 for Dr. Paul Schoepp, extension 241 for Forcados Wong, or extension 229 for LeVonn Holland.
On January 10, 2006, the television program 100 Huntley Street featured the role of parish nursing within a congregation. To view this informative video, visit http://www.crossroads.ca/100hs/2006janprog.htm and play or download program #7454. The parish nursing segment runs from approximately 5:45 to 15:00 within the 60 minute program. You'll need to use “RealPlayer”, a free media program that is available for download on the same link.