Resources

Endorsements for Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ

 

  • Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ is a comprehensive inspiring book to help any church establish a program to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. This much-needed guidebook offers stepby-step directions on establishing the program in any church, of any size, in any location. The simple lowcost strategies provide a loving service that most pastors and congregants need and desire. True stories from around the world prove the impact of this healing ministry. A must read…—LeAnn Thieman, author Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul.
  • Jennie Johnson’s book on Parish Nursing would be very helpful for a congregation that wants to implement this ministry. Jennie writes not from the “Ivory Tower” but from practical experience in our congregation in Northern, Idaho. Jennie’s book gives insights as to how this ministry can work with and complement other programs in a congregation. The book is replete with information as to how Parish Nurses can be “masks of God,” caring for the physical needs of God’s people. —Reverend Neil D. Bloom
  • Although I have been a parish nurse for over thirty years and mentored many parish nurses, this book introduced me to parish nursing in a new and fresh way. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page and was inspired by Jennie’s story and desire to encourage others to use their nursing skills in service to our Lord and His people. It is my prayer that this manuscript becomes a resource available for inquiring, beginning, and experienced parish nurses as well as pastors and church leaders who are considering what parish nurses can offer to their congregation and community outreach. -Marcia Schnorr, EdD, RN-BC, Director Church Ministries-Parish Nursing Educational Consultant and International Liaison, Lutheran Church, Missouri-Synod
  • Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ, is an excellent resource, written from the experience of a Lutheran Parish Nurse and includes stories of other parish nurses in the situation of a Pandemic, for which none had ever imagined nor by any educational program were adequately prepared. However, this group of nurses answered the call and provided parish nursing services in the Lord’s name to the Lord’s people. These parish nurses truly have been the stereotypical “Angels of Mercy” as nurses have often been portrayed. It is my hope that Jennie’s manuscript can become a published resource available to the many parish nurses and other faith community nurses who have been faced with developing new and different modalities of care under very unusual conditions imposed by the pandemic. —Janice M. Spikes, PhD, RN, Editor of Parish Nursing Notes

 Copyright Information

 

HELPING THE HURTING: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ

JENNIE JOHNSON, RN-BC, PHD

Copyright 2021 by Jennie Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Published February 1, 2022

All rights reserved.

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission                                         of the publisher or author Jennie Johnson (jenniejohnsonrn.com) except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Published by Living for a Healthy Heart, LLC

PO Box 326, Hope, Idaho 83836

ISBN: 978-1-7376503-0-0 (Hardback)

ISBN: 978-1-7376503-1-7 (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-7376503-2-4 (eBook)

ISBN: 978-1-7376503-3-1 (Audio)

This book is dedicated to Parish Nurse Bonnie Held. No one loved her congregation more.

Contributors

Doyle Bosque, RN, BSN

Doyle Bosque is the Associate Director, Nursing Programs-Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He has been a registered nurse for 27 years with 16 years in the research nurse discipline. He is responsible for oversight and direction of the Research Community, which manages the clinical trials at MD Anderson and is responsible for ensuring compliance and patient safety. Doyle has been a parish nurse at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas, for three years, and has been an Elder for more than 10 years, involved with health and educational presentations, teaching Bible study classes, and leading the men’s ministry. He has assisted with representing parish nursing at the Texas District and Texas Pastoral conference the last three years.

Deb Hammon, BSN, RN

Deb has been a parish nurse for 8 years for the Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod (LCMS) in the South Wisconsin District and has been an RN for 46 years. She received her BSN from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and parish nurse training from Concordia University of Wisconsin (CUW). She has been a preceptor for nursing students at the CUW School of Nursing. She has vast experience serving on disaster response teams and has been deployed during major wildfires, hurricanes and local disasters. Most recent deployments have been to the Miller Coors Brewery mass shooting casualty incident and Oregon wildfires. Deb is currently an American Red Cross Disaster Counselor and Supervisor, member of the South Wisconsin District LCMS Crisis Intervention and Stress Management Team (CISM), has extensive experience in psychiatric and home care nursing, and was a manager of several clinics for the Medical College of Wisconsin. In 2018, she was a lecturer at the LCMS Lutheran Emergency Response Team (LERT) Conference and at various LCMS national parish nursing conferences. The State of Wisconsin uses her as a mental health RN on the Wisconsin Emergency Assistance Volunteer Registry and as a Covid-19 vaccinator.

Personally, she lives in Fox Point, Wisconsin with her husband, Dale, a retired industrial engineer and avid cyclist, and 2 cats. She enjoys fishing with her nieces and nephews and watching Dale apologize to the fish as he takes them off the hook. Other hobbies include wildflower gardening, Bible journaling and teaching little children how to bake. She serves as a steward at the Little Free Library and at her church: Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Mequon, Wisconsin.

Raeda Mansour, Dar Al-Kalima

Raeda was born in 1968 in a small village in the northern area of the West Bank (Palestine), the youngest among her family of two brothers and four sisters. She completed high school in 1986 during a time of great political unrest. Shortly after joining Alquids University to study nursing the first uprising occurred. She was three hours away from her family when the university housing was closed, yet classes continued secretly. Raeda was blessed to find a pastor in an Evangelical school who provided her housing while she volunteered to help students with their homework. She graduated in 1992, however, it took her 6 years to complete the program instead of 4 due to another uprising which closed all schools for a full year. She began her nursing career in a large Islamic hospital in Jerusalem, worked there for two years, married and relocated to Bethlehem to work as a manager for the Family Planning & Protection Association for fourteen years. Raeda felt the call from God that she should be doing something else. In 2006 she read in the newspaper that the Christmas Lutheran Church was looking for a nurse and found what she was looking for. She completed the Parish Nurse course online, travelled to the USA to complete the internship and certificate. In 2007 a group of parish nurses lead by Dr. Marcia Schnorr came to Bethlehem and dedicated Raeda as the first parish nurse in the middle east. She stated, “I was blessed beyond my imagination to serve my church and community, especially the seniors who are the most neglected in the community. God is good and I’m very grateful to God and so happy in my vocation. Blessings!”

Marcia (Marcy) Schnorr, EdD, RN-BC

Marcy worked in various units in a small community hospital for 11 years, taught nursing in a community college for 30 years, and has been a parish nurse for 32 years. Although she enjoyed each of these experiences, her passion has been for parish nursing. She completed the certificate course from Concordia University Wisconsin for Certified Lutheran Lay Minister (now known as Director Church Ministry).

She has served in various leadership roles for parish nursing within the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is chairperson for Lutheran Parish Nurse International, NFP (Not for Profit), and is the lead parish nurse (combining parish nursing and lay ministry) for St. Paul Lutheran Church Rochelle, Illinois. Marcy has shared her experiences through writing articles for numerous newsletters and chapters in books. She has presented at numerous district, national, and international parish nurse conferences as well as serving as manager and mentor for various parish nurse distance learning courses.

Marcy has escorted several parish nurse teams on Holy Land pilgrimages as well as international study tours. She recently completed a descriptive research study with Carol Zimmermann, MS, RN entitled: Lessons Learned from the Pandemic. Marcy enjoys spending time with extended family and friends, reading, music, writing, and travel.

Angela Uhrhane, RN, BHSc

Angela Uhrhane is a Registered Nurse who works with the aged and in community care. She lives in a regional area on the border of New South Wales and Victoria in Australia. She has been involved in parish nursing since 2001, active in her church and within a Lutheran Residential Aged Care Facility.

In 2020, the Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia awarded her Lutheran Nurse of the Year. The Managing Director of Lutheran Aged Care Albury nominated her for work accomplished during the Pastor’s vacancy. Angela developed a spiritual care framework as part of the normal policy and practice at Lutheran Aged Care which resulted in a Spiritual Assessment of each resident.

Currently, Angela is sitting on the Board of Australian Faith Community Nurses Association and has been involved in presenting units on spiritual care in the online Foundations in Faith Community Nursing Course.

Angela lives with her husband Bill and her aging mother-in-law who has been profoundly deaf since birth. Her two adult sons and a grandson live in the same area. In her work she has helped people identify what is important for them as an individual and how they can find hope as they transcend life changes.

 

Bibliography (Helping the Hurting)

 

  • Abigail Abrams. “What Do Hurricane Categories Actually Mean?” Time, August 28, 2019, https://time. com/4946730/hurricane-categories/.
  • “African Proverb.” Pass It On. Accessed May 18, 2020. https://www.passiton.com/inspirational-quotes/7293-if-you-want-to-go-fast-go-alone-if-you-want.
  • “Ben Franklin Quote.” Good Reads. Accessed May 18, 2020. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/15061-byfailing-to-prepare-you-are-preparing-to-fail.
  • Bright Stars of Bethlehem. Accessed July 30, 2020. http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/who-we-are/aboutbright-stars/.
  • Brown, Marie-Anette & Jo Robinson, When your Body Gets the Blues: The Clinically Proven Program for Women Who Feel Tired, Stressed and Eat Too Much. Danvers: Rodale Books, 2002.
  • Carson, Verna and Harold Koenig. Parish Nursing: Stories of Service & Care. Radnor: Templeton Press, 2002.
  • Concordia Self-Study Bible, New International Version. Edited by Robert G. Hoerber. St.Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1986.
  • “Earthquakes: Stay Safe During an Earthquake: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” Department of Homeland Security. Last update April 27, 2020. https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes.
  • Faith Community Nursing 3rd Edition. Silver Spring: American Nurses Association, 2017.
  • Gilbert, Grayson. “Martin Luther: How to Respond to A Deadly Plague,” Faith & Freedom. March 20, 2020. http://blog.faithandfreedom.us/2020/03/martinluther-how-to-respond-to-deadly.html.
  • Goodell, Art & Ruth. Davey and Goliath Television Series. Gumby Creators. Evangelical Lutheran Church. 1960-2004, Bridgestone Media Group. http://www.daveyandgoliath.org.
  • “Helen Keller.” Good Reads. Accessed May 14, 2020. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/5098681-i-amonly-one-but-still-i-am-one-i-cannot.
  • Hickman, Janet. Faith Community Nursing. Edited by Betsy Gentzler. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilcott, 2006.
  • Hickman, Janet S. Fast Facts for the Faith Community Nurse: Implementing FCN/Parish Nursing in a Nutshell. New York: Springer Publishing, 2011.
  • “Hurricane Harvey Aftermath: The Devastation y the Numbers.” 2020, CNN Online, https://www.cnn.com/specials/us/hurricane-harvey.
  • Johnson, Jennie. Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time To Reduce your Risk for A Heart Attack and Stroke. Mustang, OK: Tate Publishing, 2015. Uploaded to Kindle May 4, 2020.www.amazon.com/Wake-Up-Call-911-Reduceebook/dp/B08855DKG8/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=wake+up+call+911+johnson&qid=1590701771&sr=8-4.
  • Koenig, Harold G. Parish Nursing: A Handbook for the New Millennium, ed. Sybil D. Smith. New York: Haworth Pastoral Press, 2003.
  • Krull, Erika. “Social Support Is Critical for Depression Recovery.” PsychCentral. October 8, 2018. https:// psychcentral.com/lib/social-support-is-critical-fordepression-recovery/. “Lee Iacocca.” Brainy Quote. Accessed May 14, 2020. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/lee_iacocca_130616.
  • Life’s Simple 7.” American Heart Association. Accessed May 27, 2020. https://www.heart.org/en/professional/workplace-health/lifes-simple-7.
  • Luther, Martin. “Whether One Man May Flee from A Dangerous Plague: Shared with permission of Fortress Press, Martin Luther, Luther’s Works, Vol. 43: Devotional Writings II. ed. Jaroslav Jan Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald, and Helmut T. Lehmann. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1999. https://blogs.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/ 2020/03/Plague-blogLW.pdf.
  • McCarthy, Niall. “America’s Most and Least Trusted Professions,” [Infographic] Forbes. January 4, 2018. https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2018/01/04/americas-most-and-least-trusted-professionsinfographic/#7ae1319365b5
  • “Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home.” American Heart Association. November 30, 2017. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoringyour-blood-pressure-at-home.
  • Normile, Patti. Visiting the Sick: A Guide for Parish Ministers, Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1991.
  • Patterson, Deborah L. The Essential Parish Nurse: ABC’s for Congregational Health Ministry. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2003.
  • “Prepare for Wildfire Season, Ready Set go Campaign.” CALFIRE. 2019. Accessed May 14, 2020. https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-forwildfire/ready-set-go-campaign/.
  • “Proper Emergency Kit Essential to Hurricane Preparedness.” 2018. FEMA. https://www.fema.gov/news-release/20200220/proper-emergency-kitessential-hurricane-preparedness.
  • Price, Ken. Courage Is Not the Absence of Fear Quote: Who Said It and What’s It’s Meaning? Elephant Man Monday. March 22, 2019. https://elephantmanlondon.com/courage-is-not-the-absenceof-fear-quote-who-said-it-and-whats-its-meaning/.
  • Raheb, Mitra. I Am A Palestinian Christian. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1995.
  • “Ralph Waldo Emerson.” Good Reads. Accessed May 14, 2020. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/16878-do-notgo-where-the-path-may-lead-go-instead
  • Schultz, Mary. “Liability Issues for Parish Nurses and Faith Communities. Parish Nurse Perspectives. January 1, 2010. https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Liability+issues+for+parish+nurses+and+faith+communities.-a0316663367.
  • Smith, Roxanne M. “Living with Pain: Strength and Survival.” Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. 2013. https://www.lwml.org/posts/free-resources/livingwithpain-strength-and-survival.
  • Smucker, Carol J. Faith Community Nursing: Developing A Quality Practice. Silver Spring: American Nurses Association, 2008.
  • “Understand Tornado Alerts.” National Weather Service. Accessed May 14, 2020. USA.gov https://www.weather.gov/safety/tornado-ww.
  • Westberg, Granger E. & Jill Westberg McNamara, The Parish Nurse: Providing A Minister of Health for your Congregation. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1990.
  • Zoba, Wendy Murray. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.” Christianity Today. March 6, 2000. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/march6/1.38.html.

Additional Resources (Helping the Hurting)

 

  • Bright Stars of Bethlehem. http://brightstarsbethlehem.org/who-we-are/aboutbright-stars/.
  • “Intensive (4 day) Course: Introduction to Parish Nursing,” Concordia University, Wisconsin (usually held in June), Mequon, Wisconsin. Contact Carol Lueders, PhD, RN. carol.luedersbolwerk@cuw.edu.
  • “Introduction to Parish Nursing Distance Education,” Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod Parish Nurse Council and Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia. Contact Marcia Schnorr, EdD, RN-BC, Director of Church Ministry. marcyschnorr2009@gmail.com. 
  • Johnson, Gulanick, Penckofer & Kouba (2015) “Does Knowledge of Coronary Artery Calcium Affect Risk Perceptions, Likelihood of Taking Action and Health- Promoting Behavior Change?” Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. January/February 2015. 
  • Johnson, Jennie. “Update on Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention for Parish Nurses.” Parish Nursing—Health Ministry—The Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod, Parish Nurse Lecture Series—Parish Nurse Video Series- View Archives-Heart Health. January 29, 2018. https://blogs.lcms.org/2018/heart-health.
  • Johnson, Jennie Website. jenniejohnsonrn.com. Lutheran Parish Nurses International (LPNI). Marcia Schnorr, EdD, RN-BC. Accessed May 28, 2020. http://probe-lpn3ye-primary.cluster2.hgsitebuilder.com.
  • Lutheran Parish Nurse International (LPNI). http://www.lpni.orghttp://www.lpni.org.
  • Nursing Service Organization Malpractice Insurance for Nursing Professionals. https://www.nso.com/registerednurse.
  • “Parish Nurse Certificate, Four Day Workshop.” Concordia University, Wisconsin. 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI, 53097. (262) 243-5700. https://www.cuw.edu/academics/programs/parish-nursingcertificate/index.html.
  • “Parish Nurse and Congregational Health Ministries (2day) Conference.” Concordia University, Wisconsin (usually held in June,) Mequon, Wisconsin: Contact Carol Lueders, PhD, RN: carol.luedersbolwerk@cuw.edu.
  • “Parish Nursing Notes Newsletter.” Contact Marcia Schnorr, EdD, RN-BC.marcyschnorr2009@gmail.com.

About the Author

 

Jennie Johnson was awarded a PhD in nursing from Loyola University, Chicago, in 2012 studying how to help people successfully change harmful behaviors. She

is a registered nurse with a vast experience in caring for cardiovascular patients in critical care and telemetry units. Jennie counseled thousands of patients to make healthier behavior choices and created a variety of highly regarded health related educational programs. Her audiences ranged in age from elementary school children, teenagers, adults and corporations. She taught the Kaplan National Council Licensure Examination RN prep course in nursing schools throughout the Northwest. In 2016 she was the American Heart Association, Spokane, Go Red for Women keynote speaker and appeared on a local PBS program Health Matters, Heart Health. Her first book, Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce Your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke was published in 2015. A Spanish translation was released in May of 2020. Her latest project is a children’s book, Sweet Kisses: Help your Child Adjust to a New Baby.

Jennie and her husband John are co-founders of Living for A Healthy Heart, LLC and live in northern, Idaho. The verse that guides her life is, “but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Currently, she serves as a volunteer parish nurse in a small congregation in northern Idaho. She believes that every church has a caring nurse who could serve in this role. Why now? Because the healing voice and touch of a caring Christian nurse is desperately needed.

If you would like more information on becoming a parish nurse, a speaking engagement or questions, please contact Jennie. God bless you on your journeyinto parish nursing. He will be with you every step ofthe way.

Monthly Blog A Nurse’s Voice: jenniejohnsonrn.com

Email: ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com

Also by Jennie E. Johnson

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke

—Jennie Johnson’s book likely saved my life. Please read and give to everyone you care about and want around for a long time. My only regret is that she didn’t write it ten years ago to save my own mother. A must read.—Debra Benton author of “The CEO Difference.” 

 —Johnson gives a powerful, solution-based approach for tackling the root causes of heart attacks and strokes. These smallchanges don’t have to involve willpower or begging others to help. Many of her insightful solutions simply require a few adjustments to what people are already doing.—Brain Wansink bestselling author of “Mindless Eating and Slim by Design.”

—Jennie Johnson’s book is for anyone who wants to avoid having a heart attack or stroke. She provides a roadmap of practical, realistic tips that anyone can do to love a healthier life. Her writing style and stories simplify complex medical information and answers questions you have been too embarrassed to ask. Even after 30+ years as a nurse, I learned so much. —LeAnn Thieman, bestselling author of “Chicken Soup for the Nurses Soul” and “SelfCare for HealthCare.”

Available: eBook (amazon.com), paperback (jenniejohnsonrn.com).

Spanish translation: eBook (amazon.com) Llamada a Alerta 911: Es Tiempo de Reducir tu Riesgo por un Ataque Al Corazon Y Derrame Cerebral.

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We can complain because rose bushes have thorns,   or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.          Abraham Lincoln