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Lutheran Home
A Lutheran Life Community
800 West Oakton Street
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004
(847)368-7400
[ map & directions]
Ministry Center
Corporate Headquarters
3150 Salt Creek Lane
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(224)735-4000
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The Parish Nurse Program is an extension of the mission of Lutheran Life Communities. The goal is to recruit a registered nurse from a congregation to become the Parish Nurse of her church.
A Parish Nurse ministers to the “wholistic” needs of the parishioners, families and communities that she serves. The “wholistic” health model encompasses physical, emotional, spiritual and relational/social health and wellness. “Wholistic” is spelled correctly. It is to the “whole” person that God created and that the Parish Nurse ministers to.
The Parish Nurse Program in partnership with a congregation contracts with a qualified registered nurse to serve provide:
- Health and wellness advocacy and education
- Personal health assessment and monitoring
- Counseling on life issues
- Resources and referrals
- Volunteer recruitment and training
- Personal visitations in home, nursing homes, hospitals or wherever her parishioner resides
- Integration of faith and health
Frequently, Parish Nurses are asked, “Just what is it that you actually do?”
The answer is: “It is not what we do; it is who we are!”
What is the Benefit of a Partnership with Lutheran Life Communities Parish Nurse Program
- The Registered Nurse candidate is encouraged and supported to enroll in a Parish Nurse certification course, so she understands about the uniqueness of her role and is given the tools to implement her ministry.
- The Pastor and Parish Nurse are supported as a team.
- An agreement that identifies the duties and hours of service for both paid and volunteer nurses is established.
- Liability insurance coverage is provided for Parish Nurses.
- Professional nursing standards are required and supported.
- Congregational health assessments are performed and evaluated.
- Environmental assessment of the church is conducted.
- Assistance with program promotion is provided.
The Parish Nurses have been certified by completing a Parish Nurse certification course. We are members of the Northern Illinois District Parish Nurse Network and affiliated with Wheat Ridge Ministries.
For more information, please call 224-735-4033.
Mr. and Mrs. D. have had to make some significant life style changes over the past 2 years. Mr. D’s mobility has been compromised and he walks with a walker. As his health declined he was admitted for rehabilitation the Lutheran Home. He was then transitioned to Hearthstone. The Parish Nurse has followed Mr. D through his declining health status with a listening ear, support and suggestions. He loves to infuse humor in his life and share his laughter and his faith. They have a supportive family that has been active in their care. The Parish Nurse is aware of how important the spiritual and relational contact is with their church. She is conscious of their need for monthly visitations from their Pastor and she prays and does a devotion during their visits.
Mr. and Mrs. D agreed to have the nursing students from the local college (who are having a Parish Nursing rotation at the Lutheran Home) visit them and ask questions about how their Parish Nurse has impacted their wholistic care. Mr. D emphasized how important it was to have the spiritual support from the Parish Nurse.
This visit demonstrated how important an ongoing and trusting “relationship” with their Parish Nurse has facilitated their wholistic health. It helped them recognize how the physical, emotional, social/relational and spiritual needs of this family were addressed.
Thanks to our Lord----He does use all situations for His good!
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