Becoming a Parish Nurse or Health Minister

Parish nursing is a growing specialty practice of nursing, recognized by the American Nursing Association. Any registered nurse that is a member of a congregation and has completed a parish nurse training program may serve as a parish nurse.

Most parish nurses have had several years of nursing experience in hospital-based or community-based settings.

Parish nurse preparation courses are available in many locations, including through these Indiana programs:

Evansville - University of Southern Indiana - starts Sept. 17, 2012
Indianapolis - Community Hospital East and Health Ministries/Parish Nursing - two-day health ministry workshop to assist congregations in setting up a health ministry in their own church. Open to lay persons and ministers. Visit the Community Hospital Parish Nursing website or email Sherry McIntyre for additional information.
Indianapolis - University of Indianapolis - Faith Community/Parish Nurse course, begins Feb. 10, 2012. Download brochure. Download application.
Indianapolis - National Episcopal Health Ministries, Inc.- contact Matthew Ellis, 317-253-1277
Kokomo:Foundations of Faith Community Nursing at Indiana University of Kokomo - begins June 2012. Download brochure.Contact Lucy Tormoehlen, Ed.D, RN, Parish Nursing Faculty Coordinator
Kokomo: Parish Nursing Course sponsored by the Parish Nursing and Congregational Health Ministry Partnership of Howard County Health Department and St. Joseph Hospital
Valparaiso - Valparaiso University
Online - Indiana Wesleyan University - begins Aug. 22, 2012

The International Parish Nurse Resource Center offers a wealth of information for practicing parish nurses or nurses new to the specialty, including: