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Parish Nurse Update: Post-Pandemic Era
In this post-pandemic era, I know many (or most) of us have resumed our lives and tried to forget the impacts of the global event. But COVID-19, the virus, is still with us and manifesting in different ways. I'd like to share some resources for navigating the post-pandemic era, in a FAQ fashion.
Read moreWhat has the Parish Nurse been doing during the pandemic?
Like many of us, Jenn, RN, went virtual during the pandemic. Jenn is faculty at the Olympic college nursing program, in both the Associate and Baccalaureate programs, and has been working with her students throughout the shut down, both virtually and in clinics/hospitals/care facilities. Some highlights of her work include vaccine clinics, most especially at the Marvin Williams Center here in Bremerton.
Read moreHello and happy spring everyone,
By now, I hope that many of you who are eligible to receive the vaccine have been able to do so, or make appointments. The CDC just released basic guidelines on what people who are fully vaccinated may do.
Hello friends,
CHI Franciscan is offering the COVID vaccine to eligible people in our area, by appointment. Eligibility is newly open for Phase 1, Tier B. This applies to many of our beloved community.
Read moreBeloved Community,
I know the past few weeks have been a time of increasing fear and uncertainty as we have growing cases of novel coronavirus, COVID-19 here in the US. My thoughts go to the families of the two confirmed deaths in King County this past week, as well as to all of those suffering with illness or fear right now. I would like to take this moment to share some information that many of you will already know, but some may not, and hopefully add some encouragement.
Read moreHello friends,
I hope the warm weather finds you all well. It’s been a little while since I’ve checked in with everyone, and I wanted to share a few updates, reminders, and thoughts.
Read moreHello friends,
I wanted to share some recent experiences and perhaps get some of you thinking. This past weekend, my husband Kent and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. At one point, during a delicious meal of “bangers and mash,” I swallowed a piece of sausage (banger) the wrong way. And by swallowed the wrong way, I mean actually that I didn’t swallow it but it became firmly lodged in my airway.
Read moreNew Year’s greetings from your parish nurse,
I hope all of you are healthy and warm after what is often a busy and tiring month for many. I’m writing to offer a reminder of how any of you can reach me for information, a referral, to set up a visit, or to ask a question. My phone (which is fingerprint and password protected) is (916) 223-6880, and my email is nurse@kuuf.org
Read moreHello everyone,
I would like to update the fellowship on what I’ve been doing the past 3-4 months. I gathered a lot of great data from my parish nurse survey in September, and you may have wondered, well…what happens next? In order to offer services as a Parish Nurse, a registered nurse must complete a course in Faith Community Nursing. This past week, I completed the 13 week course as offered by OSF Medical Center and School of Nursing, and accredited by the Westberg Institute. The course covered nursing care within the faith community, with a focus on spirituality, philosophies of healing and wholeness, professional and ethical issues, documentation, communication, collaboration, family violence, behavioral health, suffering and grief and advocacy. This was a terrific opportunity for me to work and learn with faith community nurses in a variety of faith traditions.
Read moreWhat services does our volunteer, part-time Parish Nurse offer at KUUF?
Information-sharing for optimizing health and well-being
Good-Samaritan emergency response to an accident or sudden illness IF she is present
On-the-spot assessment and referral for abuse or risk of suicide
Maintenance of the church first-aid kit
Involvement in disaster planning for the faith community
Upon request: provide referrals, accompaniment to appointments, supportive visits, blood pressure checks, and assistance with advanced care planning.
When might I contact the parish nurse?
When you have a doctor’s appointment and you are not sure what questions to ask or want someone to accompany you.
When your blood pressure has been running high and you want it checked.
When you or a loved one has a chronic disease and you are looking for resources.
When you or a loved one are discharged from the hospital and have questions on how to cope.
When you decide to make lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation, diet change, or exercise, and you need resources and encouragement.
When you have an idea for an educational program you think might be of benefit to the fellowship.
When you or a loved one would like to complete an advanced directive and need resources and support.
What services does the Parish Nurse not offer?
Medical diagnoses or prescription medication
Injections, laboratory tests, wound care, or other care that requires direction by a physician or other advanced-practice provider
Care that would otherwise be provided by a home health or hospice agency
May the Parish Nurse provide services to minors (under age 18)? Under Washington State law:
Age 13 is the age of consent for mental health treatment, age 14 is the age of consent for testing & treatment of sexually transmitted infections, there is NO minimum age of consent for reproductive health services.
Therefore, the Parish Nurse may talk to minors who have concerns about mental health, STI’s, contraception or pregnancy – with or without a parent present.
If a parent is not present, the nurse will notify a parent that a conversation occurred but will reveal no further information unless there’s danger of harm to the minor or others. Any meeting without a parent will occur in a public setting.
How does a member or friend of the fellowship contact the Parish Nurse?
In person at the church
By phone message at (916) 223-6880 (This phone is fingerprint and password protected and calls and messages are confidential.)
By e-mail message at nurse@kuuf.org
Is the Parish Nurse available 24/7?
As a part-time volunteer, she is not available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
She checks and returns phone and e-mail messages regularly – usually within 24 hours.
When she is not available for more than a day or two, she will let the congregation know.
What is a Parish Nurse?
A Parish Nurse (Faith Community Nurse) is a licensed Registered Nurse who has completed the Fundamentals of Faith Community Nursing course.
Who is our Parish Nurse?
Jennifer Ingalls, a Registered Nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing. Her background includes oncology, nursing education, vascular access, infusion therapy, and volunteer work in breastfeeding medicine, maternal/child, school nursing and summer camp nursing.
What is the philosophy of Parish Nursing?
Parish nursing is a nursing specialty focusing on health promotion and disease prevention.
It uses a holistic center of care, attending to physical, mental, and spiritual needs.
Parish nursing is also called Faith Community Nursing.
Parish nursing services are designed to work within the interdependent web of our faith community, guided by our faith tradition, covenant, and personal values.