title: Nurses in the African American church.
abstract: This study examines the definition and role of the nurse in the African American church. Select members of five churches representing different African American religious denominations were involved in focus groups. A qualitative approach was used to gather the data in unstructured interviews. Historical data and personal accounts of the church nurse were provided by the individuals interviewed. Content analysis was employed to classify data. The interviews described church nursing as a Christian calling to serve others within the church. The role of nursing within the church was found to be unique and include activities which provide comfort and support to the church. The similarities noted between the church nurse and the professional nurse could be significant in developing joint projects to facilitate the implementation of health promotion and health educational programs within the African American church and community.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newsome
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D002977:Clergy; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D009729:Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States