title: Volunteers for community health. An Ohio hospital sponsors parish nursing programs for area churches and synagogues.
abstract: Since 1989, St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center, Youngstown, OH, has been conducting a hospital-based, multidenominational volunteer parish nurse program, which now extends to 11 Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Jewish, and Greek Orthodox congregations. Seventeen volunteer nurses are involved, responding to needs within their congregations by providing a variety of healthcare and educational services while revitalizing the Church's healing ministry. Volunteers selected are competent, experienced registered nurses who can relate to and communicate with people of all ages, accurately assess health-related problems, and make appropriate nursing decisions. Parish nurses focus on preventive care, health maintenance, and personal responsibility for maintaining a healthy life-style. Volunteer nurses determine their own schedule, contributing as much time as they can. Each volunteer nurse is responsible for developing a record-keeping system, documenting his or her parish activities, and submitting a quarterly report of volunteer hours and activities to the hospital. Hospital supports include the initial two-day orientation; monthly meetings at the hospital for information sharing, education, and mutual support; and nursing continuing education programs In addition, an advisory committee provides program support and education. St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center is exploring several methods of enhancing its health ministry outreach to congregations in dire need of such services.
authors: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Youngstown, OH.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Drummond
authors: T F
authors: TF
authors: Buss
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Ladigo
mesh_terms: D002410:Catholicism; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003376:Counseling; D006266:Health Education; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D016519:Hospitals, Religious / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007255:Information Services; D014838:Volunteers; D000078329:Workforce