Parish Nursing: Motivation for Service and Length of Service - LPNI

Introduction

Parish Nursing in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod will soon reach its thirtieth birthday.  Lutheran Parish Nurses International, NFP had their first planning meeting in 2008.  Conversations in both groups have centered around similar themes.  

Many of the participants have been serving as parish nurses for many years and express concern about the future as present parish nurses age and retire.  

Conference attendance is less.  Is this due to problems of aging, younger parish nurses being less interested in attending conferences, or something different?

The largest number of parish nurses are in the USA, but there are parish nurses on every continent except Antarctica.  A short survey was distributed using a convenience sample from two Googlegroups—one for parish nurses from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and one from Lutheran Parish Nurses International, NFP.  Reminders were sent on two different occasions to encourage participation.   Responses were received from Australia, Canada, Finland, Ghana, Norfolk Island, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, and the USA.  Although there are known parish nurses in other countries, no responses were received.  It is probable that language difficulties and internet capabilities made it difficult for some to respond.

Findings

All of the respondents were female and served in the congregation in which they were members.  The respondents from the USA had an average age of 65 with an age range of 59-80.  (It is known that there are parish nurses in the USA much younger than 59, but none of these responded).  The respondents from the entire global community had an average age of 63 with an age range of 35-81.

The survey questions and the findings are listed described below.  Responses are in order of frequency.  

What led you to become a parish nurse?

USA:  call from God, desire to serve with nursing gifts, attended a class/meeting, pastor asked me, read an article

Global:  call from God, desire to serve with nursing gifts, attended a class/meeting, pastor asked me, had a vision

How long have you served?

USA:  8-30+ years  (average 18 years)

Global: new – 20 years (average 12.7 years)

How long do you plan to serve?

USA:  As long as God allows, I just retired, until I am 80, various specific number of years (3-10), unknown

Global:  as long as God allows, retired, various specific number of years (2-6)

What has been your most memorable experience?

USA:  ministry of presence (with specific case studies described), spiritual care, precepting nursing students

Global:  ministry of presence (with specific case studies described), praying with people, play group at church

How do you keep current in your profession?

USA:  conferences, reading, part time work, parish nurse support groups, on-line discussions

Global: conferences, part-time work, on-line discussions, reading, parish nurse sup port  groups, praying, research, extra theology class

How do you nourish your spirit?

USA:  Bible class, prayer/devotions, worship, support from pastor, parish nurse support groups, support from family and friends, music, staff development, creation

Global:  prayer/devotions, Bible class, worship, support from pastor, parish nurse support group, support from family and friends, creation

Other comments

USA:  LWML retreats, ‘It’s my man-cave”

Global:  Appreciate support from NID and especially ___(a particular person named), week-end church camps

Conclusion

The responses were quite similar in both the USA and the global samples.  Although the specific things that the parish nurse may do in the day to day ministry may vary, the motivation for the ministry is much the same.

Many parish nurses have no real desire to retire.  This demonstrates a fairly consistent population which can be a strength or a concern.  The typical parish nurse is conscientious and committed and plans to serve as long as the Lord allows.  

Recommendations

Practicing parish nurses should be encouraged to recruit one or more person to share the parish nursing responsibilities in the congregation.  A team concept allows for sharing the load and mentoring new parish nurses.

Parish nursing leaders would be wise to intentionally recruit new parish nurses from the pool of nurses facing retirement from traditional nursing (as many still desire to use their gifts to serve the Lord).

Parish nursing leaders should also intentionally recruit new parish nurses from stay at home moms or working nurses who may be able to help the older parish nurse but is not yet able to provide the time due to commitments to family and job.

Parish nurse education should continue to be offered in different formats to accommodate different needs.

Parish nurse networking needs to be made available in different formats to accommodate the needs of the parish nurse at different ages and needs.

May 2018