Meetings: Regular networking opportunities are scheduled on a quarterly basis. Please check the NID calendar for the date.

Conference: The annual NID-Parish Nurse Conference is scheduled for the Saturday preceding Martin Luther King’s birthday hosted by St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rochelle.

Roundtables: NID Parish Nurse Network Roundtables will be held on a Saturday in April and October. (The exact date will be set at the previous meeting.) Meeting sites will rotate among participating parish nurses within the LC-MS.

Picnic: A family picnic is held in the summer as an opportunity for Christian fellowship and sharing of information.

Additional opportunities: An informal breakfast meeting will be held in conjunction with the annual Concordia Conference for Parish Nurses held in June at Concordia University, Wisconsin.

Parish nurses are encouraged to network more frequently with parish nurses in their circuits or regions within the NID, as well as at other conferences within the LC-MS, the Concordia University System, and others (discretion is recommended regarding the Spiritual component of interfaith parish nurse conferences.)

Agenda will include devotions/Bible study, topical presentation, group sharing and networking. Opportunities will be provided for mentoring conferences for students enrolled in the Parish Nurse/Distance Learning Program. Introductory information will be available for nurses and pastors interested in learning more about parish nursing.

Visit the LC-MS website. Click on Board for Human Care Ministries, click on Health Ministries, click on parish nursing for more information and downloadable resources!

Parish Nursing is a special ministry and is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing specialties in nursing. Parish nurses within the LC-MS are encouraged to participate in a Christ-centered educational program that is consistent with the theology and practice of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

The following educational programs have been endorsed by the LC-MS Board for Higher Education and LC-MS Health Ministries. They are conveniently located for the parish nurse within the NID.

Parish Nurse/Distance Learning Program: The Parish Nurse/Distance Learning Program is offered through Concordia University Wisconsin (with the endorsement of LC-MS Health Ministries and LC-MS Board for Higher Education.) This four module program offers continuing education units for each module (a total of 250 CEUs) and a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the entire program.

-The course if offered through Concordia University Wisconsin, but it is taken within the individual congregation. A mentor is assigned to work with the individual parish nurse throughout the program.

Introduction to the Concept and Practice of Parish Nursing is a four day intensive program offered on the campus of Concordia University Wisconsin. It is offered as an introduction to parish nursing. It is approved for 29.5 CEUs but does not offer a certificate of completion. Nurses wishing to receive an overview of parish nursing may want to consider this option.

Theology of Health and Healing (module 2) of the Parish Nurse/Distance Learning Program can be taken by parish nurses who have completed a parish nurse preparation program not affiliated with the LC-MS. This module will provide the theological foundation and practical applications essential to the parish nurse wishing to have a solid foundation for Spiritual care. The parish nurse will also have the opportunity for personal Spiritual growth through the exercises included in this module. Upon completion of this module, the participant will receive 45.8 CEUs.

Certified Lay Minister is an option available through Concordia University Wisconsin for parish nurses who have completed the Parish Nurse Distance Learning Program. Successful completion of this option qualifies the parish nurse to be rostered as a "Minister of Religion – Commissioned." Their particular area of practice will be parish nursing. For more information, contact Dr. Albert Garcia, Director of Lay Ministry at 262-243-5700.

NID Parish Nurse, Representative to LCMS:
Karen Hardecopf, RN, Parish Nurse, Lay Minister

Coordinator, LC-MS Parish Nurse Ministry:
Marcia A. Schnorr, RN, EdD

Pastoral Advisor:
Rev. Mark Nordman
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Rochelle, Il. 61068 815-562-2744