Since 1989, Concordia University Wisconsin has offered educational programs in congregational health ministries. More than 4,100 nurses, clergy, and others have been introduced to the concept of Christian caregiving within the faith community, including strategies to begin a congregational health ministry. This program integrates a Christian caregiving framework to developing a holistic congregational health and parish nurse ministry.
The Parish Nursing Certificate is offered through a single four-day intensive session. These sessions are only offered in person on campus, and are held twice per year. The certificate can be taken for continuing education units.
This program tackles parish nursing from all angles. You’ll get historical context, philosophy, theological frameworks, legal perspectives, and ethics. You’ll learn about Jesus’ own caregiving, and the caregiving that took place in the early church. You’ll get information on how to best serve people in crisis (from grief management to loss and depression to acute and chronic illness, and more). You’ll learn documentation techniques, how to set up a parish nurse practice and office in your own church, and hear firsthand accounts from other parish nurses who have successfully established congregational health ministries. The truth is, this is just scratching the surface. This program offers a wonderfully in-depth examination of what it means – and what it takes – to be a parish nurse.
Contact Carol Lueders Bolwerk at 262.243.4233 or Carol.LuedersBolwerk@cuw.edu for more information.
