Hi Norma,.
Our situation is quite different. We have only been going about a year.
There are two of us who are now taking the Parish Nurse Course through a college
in Chicago. I am one of those. I also completed the parish nurse course
through a hospital in Dixon, Il. Although Lori and I are being trained there
are about 8 nurses on our board. We do not have office hours as yet and I feel
it will be a while before we do. We have a Blood Pressure Screening the first
Sunday of every month. We have had some very interesting programs. The first
one was a program on diabetes. We had a fellowship hour after church complete
with Diabetic treats and lots of diabetes Information. last Sunday We had a
really neat event. We were celebrating Spring and gardening, more specifically
herb gardening. The Church hall was decorated with daffodils. We had displays
of different gardening equipment and brought in information from The local
Extension service about gardening. The Health and Wellness Board brought in
treats made with herbs such as an herb cheese ball, herb dip Ginger bread,
Cucumber sandwiches etc. We gave the parishioners packets of herb seeds. We
set up an area where the kids could plant a seed in a dixie cup filled with
dirt. We gave gardening things as door prizes. I also made basil garlic
vinegar which looked pretty. At this point in our ministry, we are getting the
congregation used to the idea of the Parish Nurse Program. I am a volunteer and
do not want to be paid. I feel being paid would tke me down and I am like you,
I don't want to do that. As of now, All of the nurses are active with different
programs. We may establish office hours at some time in the future but I don't
think it will be soon. I am lucky to have a very supportive minister and
parish. Keep in touch and God Bless.
Mary Ann
PS I do a monthly news letter article. This month it was on the need to do
stretching exercises before you start your yard work. I also talked about
lifting the right way and gave directions for lifting. I also reminded them of
the need to keep their tetanus boosters current. When I go into word again, I
will send you a copy of a couple of the news letter articles. If you don't want
them you can delete them.
----- Original Message -----
From: Norma Underwood
To: ParishNurse@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2003 8:08 PM
Subject: [ParishNurse] volunteer parish nurse



Hi Mary Ann,
I retired from hospital nursing after 31 1/2 years. I have felt God leading
me into parish nursing...I received certification through Alabama Baptist WMU
and Samford University about 2 years ago. After much prayer, I made the
decision to live from a pension and occasional parttime (4 days a month) at the
hospital. I too want to do volunteer parish nursing. I have taken a couple of
months for adjustment to being retired. I am planning to talk with our church
leadership in May and start the planning stages formally. It has been only
superficially discussed to this point, but everyone seems to be receptive. My
question is how did you start out...how many days did you have office hours and
how many hours per day. Did you try to be the only one in the office on those
days, or did you have other nurses helping? Any suggestions you give will be
appreciated. God bless you! Norma U.
P.S. I also want to have some time to travel occasionally with my 78 year old
Mom.
Mary Ann <worth@...> wrote:Hi Tania
Good luck in your new job. I have been nursing for 41 years. I am a
volunteer Parish nurse at my Lutheran church in Canton, Il. I was formerly
volunteer Parish Nurse with First Congregational Church here in Canton. I love
ths field. I too am retired and don't want a paying position as I want to take
time of for travel etc.



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