Required education
ADN or BSN
Attributes
Independent
Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.
Out-of-hospital
Treat patients in their homes, during travel, or other non-hospital environments.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
You’ll treat people holistically, balancing body, mind, and spirit to help them achieve overall wellness.
What you’ll do
Collaboration
You’ll be the liaison between patients, the community and the healthcare team.
Education
You’ll teach your peers and people within the community how to stay healthy.
Examination
You’ll perform health screenings.
Support
You’ll provide spiritual support to patients and advocate on their behalf.
Mentorship
You’ll guide and support members of your parish.
Where you’ll work
- Churches
- Community service centers
- Hospitals
How to become a Parish Nurse
01
Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
02
Pass the NCLEX-RN and work as a Registered Nurse for two years.
03
While there’s no specific certification for a Parish Nurse, you can get certified in Faith/Community Nursing through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
04
You’re ready to work as a Parish Nurse.
Join an Organization
Become a member of a Parish Nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
A Public Health Nurse’s role is also out-of-hospital.
A Nurse Writer, Author, or Historian is another type of community nurse.
