Parish Nurse Network

• One Woman's Experience
• Facts About the Network
• Becoming a Parish Nurse
• Church Partnership Process
• For More Information

Church Partnership Process

The HealthEast Parish Nurse program seeks parish partnerships with East Metro churches/faith communities that meet the following criteria:

• The church demonstrates a tradition of commitment and outreach to the local community.
  
  
• Designated staff are responsible for a growing and dynamic community outreach.
  
  
• There is a budgeted allocation for community outreach.
  
  
• The pastoral staff and congregation will support the parish nurse in community outreach efforts.
  
  
• The church and pastoral staff demonstrate a growing understanding of and support for the parish nurse ministry within a congregation.
  
  
• The organizational structure of the church provides for clear channels of communication for reporting and accountability.
  
  
• The parish nurse reports to the senior pastor on a mutually agreed upon and regular basis.
  
  
• The parish nurse is seen as a full partner of the ministry team and regularly attends staff meetings.
  
  
• The parish nurse ministry is seen as an integral part of the congregation's ministry and not as an extension.
  
  
• The church is ready to partner financially with HealthEast to provide for the paid staff position of a parish nurse as outlined in the partnership agreement.
  
  
• The church agrees to enter the partnership with the goal of working the parish nurse position fully into the church budget by the time that the formal partnership ends (three years).
  
  
• The parish agrees to a reasonable line item budget for program expenses.
  
  
• The church agrees to pay annual salary increases for a parish nurse who meets or exceeds job expectations. The Parish Nurse Manager and the senior pastor will mutually agree on this in advance.
  
  
• The parish agrees to pay for part of the continuing education of the parish nurse preparation course, annual symposium or CPE.

Funding for Churches

HealthEast offers funding to selected churches to help them establish a paid parish nurse position. Under a three-year agreement, HealthEast provides funding for:

• 75% of salary the first year
• 50% of salary the second year
• 25% of salary the third year

The church assumes the remainder of the costs and full financial responsibility for the position after three years. During and after the funding agreement, the parish nurse is a member of the HealthEast Parish Nurse Network, with access to its support and educational resources.

Contact the Parish Nurse Network manager at 651-232-5521 for more information.