In March 2022, Mercy Care commissioned 5 Faith Community Nurses, including; Margo Boylan, Heather Ann Hageman, Linda Giles, Katherine Godley, and Jennifer Lucia – virtually via Zoom.
Participants completed the 6 -session course, following the Westberg Institute’s Foundations of Faith Community Nursing (Parish Nursing) Curriculum. The course is offered to registered nurses of all faiths. Mercy Care provides the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Course through a grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
Faith Community Nurses (often referred to as Parish Nurses) provide health education, advocate for clients, connect them with resources in the community, and listen and provide support in times of illness. Their focus is on the whole person with particular emphasis on the spiritual. The parish nurse does not do hands-on nursing or duplicate what is available through the public health nurse but does bring their nursing experience and faith to the service of others.
Mercy Care’s Mission Director Sr. Catherine Cummings, RSM, Ed. D., R.N. directs the course. Parish Nurse Educator Jane Stratton, MS, RN-BC, is the primary course instructor. Guest faculty include Sister Bethany Fitzgerald, SSJ, Faith Formation Educator, Sister of St. Joseph of Watertown, NY, Angela Sheehan, RN, MS, NPP, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Private Mental Health Practice, Faith Community Nurse Educator, Rensselaer, and Saratoga Counties, Kasey Stewart, Ph.D., Coordinator, North Country Hub Enhanced-Multidisciplinary Team, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Ogdensburg, and Rev. Paul Kelly, Chaplain, Elderwood of Uihlein, Lake Placid.
Mercy Care’s Faith Community Nurse Program is a volunteer program open to registered nurses or other persons interested in Health Ministry as part of Mercy Care and/or in a church community. Volunteer Parish Nurses have the opportunity to choose the number of hours they are able to give. Mercy Care for the Adirondacks has trained more than 50 Parish Nurses throughout the North Country.
