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Parish Nursing evolved during the 1980's from the vision of the Reverend Granger E. Westberg, a Lutheran minister and hospital chaplain, who recognized that health involved more than illness care. History acknowledges that early nurses were trained under the auspices of religious communities and were instilled with the thought that care of the sick should encompass the whole person. And, since one of the earliest acknowledged places for healing was the church, bringing whole person care back into the congregational setting seemed appropriate. Florence Nightingale said that anyone could be called to be a nurse but concern for health must go beyond the physical symptoms and the patient environment. Trained nurses have been serving people with a spirit of caring, gentle touch, patient listening, and talking with them. The power of prayer has been seen by many as an important part of healing. Working within the faith community, the Parish Nurse is a visible representative of the close tie between one's faith and one's health. Faith Community/Parish Nursing is a growing area of community health care which provides opportunities for dedicated, well-qualified professionals seeking the challenges of community care combined with the spiritual values of promoting health. This faith community-based ministry integrates a holistic approach to health including the body, mind, and spirit in its pursuit of wellness. In response to this growing specialty, the American Nurses Association, in collaboration with the Health Ministries Association, Inc., revised the Faith Community Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice in 2005. As defined in the Scope and Standards of Practice, the focus of Faith Community Nursing is "the intentional care of the spirit as part of the process of promoting wholistic health and preventing or minimizing illness in a faith community. (p. 1) In Chattanooga, TN the Faith Community/Parish Nurse Program began in 1996 with the vision of the Memorial Hospital Vice President of Mission of promoting whole person health in the neighborhood community. The first class was comprised of 11 persons; since then, the program has developed into a preparation program for Registered Nurses who have felt a "call to ministry" and a desire to promote whole person health within their faith communities. Pastoral and congregational support are essential to the success and growth of the ministry within the congregation. Since the first class, more than 90 Parish Nurses have completed the preparation program and are prepared to minister in 54 congregations representing 11 denominations in the Chattanooga area. The 20th Faith Community/Parish Nurse Preparation class is scheduled to begin on February 2, 2011. Updated 1/2011
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