PURPOSE: This study examined a parish program as an evolving nursing specialty. DESIGN: This is an ethnographic study of a parish nursing program in a southeastern U.S. city that included interviews with key informants, participant observations, and document analysis. Data were content analyzed. FINDINGS AND RESULTS: Findings indicate positive perceptions of the parish nursing program. Cultural themes include the process of discovery, commitment to the parish nurse and program, and fit with values and missions. Taxonomies of parish nurse attributes, actions, offerings, roles, and entrance requirements were derived. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Parish nursing offers nurses the opportunity to bridge physical, social, emotional, and spiritual lives into one caregiving experience. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings provide clinical guidance for parish nurses.
PURPOSE: This study examined a parish program as an evolving nursing specialty. DESIGN: This is an ethnographic study of a parish nursing program in a southeastern U.S. city that included interviews with key informants, participant observations, and document analysis. Data were content analyzed. FINDINGS AND RESULTS: Findings indicate positive perceptions of the parish nursing program. Cultural themes include the process of discovery, commitment to the parish nurse and program, and fit with values and missions. Taxonomies of parish nurse attributes, actions, offerings, roles, and entrance requirements were derived. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Parish nursing offers nurses the opportunity to bridge physical, social, emotional, and spiritual lives into one caregiving experience. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings provide clinical guidance for parish nurses.