Faith Community Nursing

A Parish Nurse (PN) is a registered nurse with a minimum of 2 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 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.

Specifically in our parish here at OLR, our parish nurses conduct blood pressure screening after Mass at certain times of the year as well as set up appointments for when the mobile mammogram comes to OLR.

Parish Nurse Coordinator : Jane Wold 860-9326

OLR Faith Community Nurses’ Notes

Greetings from your FCN team. We are exploring a web connection with our Parishioners! It’s about time, yes? I thought if there is a time to start, maybe now is good. I hope you join us. Here we go...

First on our mind is updating you of our monthly and annual activities:

Monthly -

Our ‘Monthly Blood Pressure Screening’ is on HOLD until further notice. If you see us at a Mass, please ask us to take a reading if you need. Considering the small space of the library and cleaning our equipment between each participant = not a very efficient and safe process to offer this screening, like we have been doing over the past years. I’ll keep you posted.

Annually-

The Annual Mammogram Bus coming to OLR has been postponed. The only reason for this is we haven't been congregating at church to advertise this service. St. Alphonsus Mammogram Bus is still in operation! If you have been a past participant you should have received in the mail their schedule for June. If you like the convenience of the bus in our community, you can schedule an appointment through them. I believe this year they are offering 3D Mammography on one of their buses. Please inquire when you call.

COVID-19

Second on our mind is the confusing daily news regarding COVID-19.

We say this because we feel it, too. The confusion is appropo. How can information be straightforward when this virus is new. So, we want to share our thoughts.

❖ Wear a mask if it provides solace. A mask, in today’s world, is a sign of respect. There are so many types of masks being worn out there, it is hard to say yours will protect you. Wearing a mask will decrease your germs from spreading outward, this is the respect piece. Will your mask stop outside germs passing thru to you, is the unknown.

❖ The request for Social Distancing is appropriate especially if you do not know the goings on of the people you are going to be around. We would encourage socialization with loved ones and close friends. Isolation is not healthy either. When getting together make sure everyone has been maintaining safe practices, assess if anyone has been ill and in essence keep the group number to 10 or less. Give air hugs. If you are immune compromised, gather only with family. Laugh together, maybe even have a cry but be together. Sharing food, especially cooked food, has not been a concern, so break bread!

❖ Hand Washing is the key to lifelong health. Washing hands was important before COVID-19! Wash hands every time you return home and of course, as usual.

1.Wash hands for 20 seconds, no less!

2.Wash entire hand, thumb and under nails creating a bubble glove for each hand.

3.Completely rinse hands in warm water; soap and friction is the key, not hot water.

4.Completely dry hands and moisturize! Germs love cracked, dry hands.

Please check back in, we have more! PS, yes, please use hand sanitizer if no sink is available.