New Faith Community Nurse Program

When we think of nurses, we may likely think of those working at our local hospital or clinic. They are there to help us or a family member in their time of need. In fact, year after year, nurses are named as one of the most trusted professions in the United States. And here in our Families in Faith community, we are blessed with a new ministry through which nurses help and guide parishioners with holistic health needs.

Jeanette Walsh, Joan Bauer, and Kaye Day are serving our three parishes as Faith Community Nurses, or parish nurses. All three women serve or have served as lay nurses and were recently trained online through the CHI Health Faith Community Health Network. The 45-hour training program was free through CHI Health, and the services the women offer are also free. Faith Community Nurses are recognized by the American Nurses Association, and they have access to a wide network of Faith Community Nurse support in Omaha.

Jeanette recently retired from a long nursing career in Lincoln and had been dreaming of starting a ministry like this in her hometown of Greeley. As she researched, she asked her sister-in-law, Joan, to get involved. She also asked Kaye, so that each parish has a representative. Joan and Kaye both work in the nursing field.

“We are blessed in our communities,” Jeanette says. “There is a good support system, and people are always happy to help. I want to make that more vibrant and help those who don’t know who to ask.”

“We are very blessed to live in our rural communities,” Kaye says. “It is a beautiful moment to be able to witness all the good things we can do to help each other. Because our communities do not always have access to the opportunities in bigger cities, the Parish Nurse Network can be a good resource to help.”

“After I looked at this, I thought that Spalding has a very good support system for each other, and a lot of people that do things for each other,” Joan says. “It’s just the physical, though. It would be nice when someone helps someone, if they could say a prayer with them, to help in a spiritual way too.”

Parish nurses can serve many important roles — from connecting parishioners with key health resources to hosting classes or spiritual activities. They can help find a volunteer to get groceries when someone is homebound or help give a mom a break from her new baby. As Jeanette points out, this ministry serves as more of a “big picture” resource.

“We want people to know we are not replacing anyone, like home health nurses,” Jeanette says. “We are here as a resource and advocate, and to help with wellness activities at the parish.”

Currently, a number of their efforts and initiatives will have to wait until after we have moved past the COVID-19 pandemic. One activity that Jeanette, Joan, and Kaye are planning is a virtual “Walk for the Cross” during Lent, which will include walking and spiritual activities.

All three women hope to continue building this ministry, so they can support more parishioners throughout our faith community, and they look forward to helping all of our community members improve their health.

“Parish nursing provides an extensive network of people working together to serve our communities,” Kaye says. “This network can be a great resource to help provide needed equipment or supplies, along with information.”

“It’s OK to ask for help,” Jeanette says. “We want to help each parishioner reach optimal emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental health. It’s not just one person — it takes buy-in from everyone so we can all support each other a little better.”

“If you have a health-related question, feel free to ask,” Joan says. “We can figure out how to help and it is all kept confidential.”

To connect with Jeanette Walsh, Joan Bauer or Kaye Day, please email fifparishnurse@gmail.com or call the St. Michael parish office at 308-497-2662.

Jeanette Walsh

Joan Bauer

Kaye Day