Mission Statement
The parish nurse promotes physical, emotional, spiritual, and social harmony to encourage health and healing relationships with God, family, faith communities, culture and creation.
Contact Information
Karen Dolan RN, Parish Nurse
Phone: (715)-579-5601
Email: jkdolan1@charter.net
Office Hours: Wed. 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (or by appointment)
If you would like to request specific information on a health or spiritual topic, email or call the Parish Nurse.
The Community Blood Center
Blood drive December 20,2023 in Fr. Klink Hall of Immaculate Conception from 1:30-5:30 p.m. more information to follow.
Senior Care and Assisted Living Resources
Resources for Senior Care in Wisconsin
Dove Healthcare South Eau Claire now has Assisted Living openings. For information call Administrator Jeremy Kiley @ 715-225-2823 or email jkiley@dovehealthcare.com.
Azura Memory Care
"Azura Memory Care is a premier provider of memory care services and programs across the state of Wisconsin. From homelike settings to transformational programming, our memory care assisted living communities provide a safe and nurturing place for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Recognized as Wisconsin’s Dementia Care Experts, our MOSAIC philosophy and exclusive training program provides our team with advanced education in dementia care, helping those we serve experience moments of joy every day!"
Visit the Azura Memory Care website HERE to learn more.
Healthy Living Classes available through Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Eau Claire County call 715-839-4735 or go to www.adrcevents.org
1. Stepping On fall prevention program (in person) This exercise class is adapted to your individual level and can help one to get stronger and increase balance. You will learn to identify and remove or avoid fall hazards both inside and outside your home. In addition see how vision, hearing, medication, and footwear affect your risk of falling. To get back on your feet the right way if you do fall.
WHEN: Tuesdays 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. April 11 - May 23, 2023
WHERE: Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W Grand Avenue, Eau Claire
2. Healthy Living with Diabetes (in person) This class is designed for adults of all ages who have type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, or who live with someone who does. Learn how to manage the condition through 14 self-management tools. Topics include healthy eating and nutrition: food label reading and meal planning, dealing with stress, preventing low blood sugar and complications, physical activity, feedback and problem-solving, positive thinking, short-term goal setting, communicating with friends, family, and your medical team. Meets weekly for 6 weeks, plus optional class with a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
WHEN: Thursdays, 1-3:30 p.m. April13 - May 25, 2023
WHERE: Eau Claire County Courthouse: 721 Oxford Avenue Eau Claire
Pregnancy Resources
Rachel's Vineyard- Hurting after abortion? Find hope and healing.
Catholic Charities offers a wide variety of resources regarding pregnancy, adoption, abortion, and parenting. Visit their site here for more information.
Disability Services - Catholic Charities
"The Disability Services Program focuses on individual dignity and strengthening families for those dealing with developmental and emotional disabilities as well as mental health and substance abuse concerns. The primary purpose of the program is to provide parents, caregivers or school personnel quality services needed to prevent out-of-home placements of participants with developmental disabilities. The program services are educational, supportive and focus on retention of skills. Our services are available to all La Crosse area residents, irregardless of families' faith traditions."
For more information, visit the Catholic Charities Website: https://cclse.org/disability-services/
Health and Wellness Topics
12 Daily Habits of Fitness Professionals and Nutrition
Using over the counter analgesics safely
Easy ways to cut added sugar out of your diet
For information on Al-Anon Family Groups or Alcohol Anonymous information can be found at: District05.org
Mayo Clinic Health System Classes and Events has several Youth & Family Programs, Support Groups, and Wellness Offerings. Check out their website for more information: mayoclinichealthsystem.org
FACTS ABOUT PARISH NURSING
How parish nursing started
Parish nursing was initiated in the mid 1980's by Rev. Dr. Granger Westberg. He wanted to emulate the faith community nursing outreach that was done by religious orders, similar to the "Parish Deaconesses" in Europe and America in the 1800's.
Westberg helped to launch several "Wholistic Health Centers in local congregations to provide a team approach to both wellness and illness care in local congregations, using clergy, physicians, nurses, and social workers. Rev. Westberg observed nurses provided a vital link between health systems and congregations. He urged his hospital to launch a program in area congregations to provide "parish nurses" who would reach out into the community to build bridges of healing and hope.
What is a parish nurse (faith community nurse)?
A parish nurse (PN) is a registered nurse with a minimum of two years experience that works in a faith community to address health issues of its members as well as those in the broader community or neighborhood. The experience the nurse has gathered working in other medical areas/specialties aids the nurse with an assessment of health status, health needs, and collaboration with health agencies. What makes this specialty different is the conscious partnering of health issues with the faith of the client and client's family. The core to this practice is the intentional care of the spirit of those the PN assists.
What does a parish nurse do?
A parish nurse has several roles and they work together to promote physical, emotional, spiritual, and social harmony leading to healthy and healing relationships with God, family, faith communities, culture and creation.
- H Health Advisor
- E Educator on health issues
- A Advocate/Resource Person
- L Liaison to Faith and Community resources
- T Teacher of volunteers and developer of support groups
- H Healer of Body, Mind, Spirit, and Community
Who can be a parish nurse?
Registered nurses with a minimum of two years experience, a current license in the state where the faith community is located, and who have completed a parish nurse foundations course for this specialty practice, which is recognized by the American Nurses Association.
What about the name?
In the traditional sense of the word, "parish" includes the whole neighborhood, so this specialty nurse practice derives its name from serving a congregation and the wider community. More generally it is known as faith community nursing with a set of scope and standards that state each faith community can use terminology that is congruent with that faith such as church nursing, congregational nursing, or other title.
Is this only available to Christian congregations?
No- there are Jewish Congregational Nurses, Muslim Crescent Nurses, and registered nurses serving in similar capacities within other faith traditions as well.
What is the training for a parish nurse?
There are several curricula, but most parish nurses have used the curriculum developed by a panel of nursing faculty which is offered in partnership with the International Parish Nurse Resource Center (IPNRC) at more than 130 nursing schools and health systems around the US and abroad.
Are there parish nurses in other states?
There are parish nurses in all 50 states. Contact the IPNRC for locations and coordinators of programs.
How many parish nurses are there?
There are approximately 15,000 parish nurses in the United States of which about 35% are compensated for their ministry.
Are there parish nurses in other countries?
Parish nursing is growing rapidly around the world. Currently, there are parish nurses in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, England, Ghana, India, Kenya, Korea, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Palestine, Pakistan, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Ukraine, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
How can one connect with other parish nurses?
The International Parish Nurse Resource Center (IPNRC) connects with several hundred parish nurse faculty and coordinators, who work with thousands of parish nurses worldwide. In addition, many parish nurses attend the Westberg Parish Nurse Symposium which is the annual professional meeting for parish nurses held each fall
How can I learn more?
Visit the website of the International Parish Nurse Resource Center at www.parishnurses.org or call (314) 918-2527. The IPNRC has a number of web-based, print, and DVD resources available.