Gwinnett Medical Center Prepares Faith-Based Nurses

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Gwinnett Medical Center's (GMC) Congregational Health Ministry will host its Nurse Preparation Course from March 22-24 and April 19-21, 2012, in GMC's Community Room/Chapel in Lawrenceville. This faith-based course is the only one of its kind offered statewide to provide nurses with the vital tools to heal mind, body and spirit.

By providing guidance in times of health crisis, educating, providing spiritual and emotional support, and simply listening, parish nurses make a significant difference in the individual lives and in the collective life of congregations in metro Atlanta.

Ensuring Good Health

Congregational Nurse Linda Bailey, of Duluth, Ga., took the course at GMC 10 years ago. Today, she's saving lives. Bailey is dedicated to conducting blood pressure screenings as least twice a month in the church that she serves, Duluth First United Methodist. Several times, the blood pressure readings were so high that the congregants knew they should see a doctor immediately. In the case of one gentleman, who also wasn't feeling well, it led to emergency treatment including cardiac stenting to remove blockages.

“Through this unique program, we provide individual attention,” said Bailey, who also helps instruct those nurses new to the program at GMC. “Because there is nothing that's considered ‘off-limits' with parish nurses, individuals confide with the most difficult situations in their lives, especially as it relates to illness, abuse, grief and family issues.”

Course Details

The Parish-Faith Community Nurse Preparation Course is a six-day, intensive education program, approved by the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, that focuses on the core issues and challenges nurses face who practice in faith communities. Upon course completion, nurses will have an increased understanding of the relationship between faith and help, the skills to promote the healthy attitudes and lifestyle choices and be prepared to address the whole person health needs of the church or community.

Some course topics include:

• theology of health and healing,
• roles of parish nurses,
• spiritual assessment and care giving,
• ministry of presence, family violence, suffering, grief and loss.

Enrollment requirements:

• must be a registered nurse with current license
• commitment to physical, spiritual, mental and emotional health
• active enrollment in local congregation
• commitment to completion of program and commitment to use course information in service to the faith community

Registration fee is $550 with a $150 deposit due March 15. The fee includes: course materials, International Parish Nurse Resource Center pin, certificate and textbook. For more information or questions, contact Debbie Huckaby at dhuckaby@gwinnettmedicalcenter.org or call 678-312-2423.

About Gwinnett Medical Center

Gwinnett Medical Center is a not-for-profit healthcare network with acute-care hospitals in Lawrenceville and Duluth that provide award-winning healthcare services. GMC's 4,200 associates and 800 affiliated physicians serve more than 400,000 patients annually. To learn more about how GMC is transforming healthcare, visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org or follow us at facebook.com/gwinnettmedical, twitter.com/gwinnettmedical or youtube.com/gwinnettmedical.