In 1983 Lutheran Chaplain Granger Westberg proposed an experimental program to assist with medical crisis. He enlisted six Chicago congregations, four Lutheran and two Catholic to hire a nurse to care for parishioners. (Granger discovered that nurses made the easiest and most natural connection with parishioners.) Chicago Hospital Lutheran General agreed to sponsor the program by paying 3/4ths of the salary the first year, half the second year and 1/4th the third year. By the fourth year, the church was paying the full salary and more churches could be added to the program.

The Parish Nurse provided support for those discharged early from the hospital and assisted in referring congregants to health care facilities when needed. Health promotion became a necessary to component of the health and healing ministry. Hundreds of congregations now have parish nurses – many different denominations. Many churches use the model of incorporating a parish nurse as a staff member as developed by Granger Westberg. Hospitals and care facilities are finding parish nursing as a good source of outreach and prevention of unnecessary visits to the emergency room or admission to a care facility. Research done by the ELCA Board of Pensions finds today 900 ELCA known trained parish nurses in the United States.

The ELCA Parish Nurse Association (PNA) is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of registered nurses who are affiliated with an ELCA congregation. It was founded in 2004, with the first membership list including 65 nurses in the Minneapolis and St. Paul Area Synods of Minnesota. The membership is open to Registered Nurses who have completed a Parish Nurse Preparation class and are paid/unpaid/retired staff with an ELCA congregation.

Mission:
To provide leadership in fostering the spiritual growth and development of Parish Nurses, promote the expansion of this ministry into more congregations, and strengthen the Parish Nurse presence within the Synods.

Goals:

1. Assure Parish Nurses have a place at the Synod Council and are integrated into the practices and future development of the Church
2. Enhance the spiritual development of ELCA Parish Nurses
3. Promote Parish Nursing within the ELCA and encourage the development of parish nursing programs within all ELCA congregations
4. Provide networking opportunities and forums for sharing programs, projects, and resources
5. Support parish nurses in their ministries and encourage appropriate wage and benefit standards
6. Promote wellness among congregations and our rostered leaders

Programs:
Bi-annual meetings (in April and October) include an educational program (with RN Continuing Educations Units) on some aspect of spiritual enrichment.

Membership Dues:
Annual dues of $30.00 are paid each January. To join, send dues along with name, address, phone, congregation, and e-mail address to “ELCA PNA, PO Box 8117, St. Paul, MN 55108-0117 ”

Support:
Annual financial support is provided by member dues, gifts, and a contribution from the Partnership Table of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA. All gifts are welcome.

Points of Interest:

• Twenty-two percent of all ELCA congregations in the Minneapolis and St Paul Area Synods (62 of 282 congregations) offer Parish Nursing Programs and services.
• The ELCA PNA membership currently includes 59 Parish Nurses.

For further info, contact:
Ann Rabie, Minneapolis/St. Paul ELCA PNA Chairperson, arabie@q.com
June Sand, Minneapolis/St. Paul Vice Chairperson, djsand@comcast.net