Parish Nurse Certification Requirements

If you are already a licensed nurse or just finishing nursing school and looking to utilize your spiritual beliefs in patient care, you may want to consider becoming certified as a Parish nurse. There is specific training that you need in order to become certified.

Considerations

• Before you can study to become a Parish nurse, you must already hold a nursing license. Some certification programs require that you have been practicing for between two to five years as a nurse as well.

Features

• Parish nursing involves a holistic approach that looks at a patient's mind, body, soul and relationships. Parish nurses work through their local congregation to both prevent disease and help care for those with illness in their community.

Types

• Parish nurse certifications can focus on just a basic certification to work with individuals in the community. You can also choose a coordinator focus, if you want to organize and supervise events that happen at institutions other then the church.

Courses Needed

• Some of the classes you will need to take to become certified as a Parish nurse include the history, philosophy and ethics of Parish nursing. You will also need courses to train you to become a patient educator and advocate.

Additional Classes

• Additional required classes include techniques to function in a team setting, grief counseling and spiritual leadership. You will also be trained to deal with family violence and assisting in helping clients cope with the end of life transition.