IPNRC Research Committee

Parish Nurse Perspectives, Spring, 2007

The IPNRC Research Committee met March 23-25, 2007 in St. Louis. The following faculty attended: Rhonda Keen, Texas Christian University; JoVeta Wescott, Abundant Life Hospice; Sharon Hinton, Rural Nurse Resource Training Center; Eileen Rettig, Spring Hill College; Debbie Seider, Dallas Fort Worth Faith and Health Collaborative; Lois Banke, Asante Health System; Linda Garner, Baylor University; Donna Thomas, Wheeling Jesuit University; Deb Waring, Northwest Parish Nurse Ministries; Beverly Siegrist, Western Kentucky University; Maggie Miller, Bellarmine University; Gayle Donahue, Fairview Hospital; Roberta Schweitzer, Purdue University; Ruth Williams, Viterbo University; Carrie Whyte, Anna Maria College; and Mary Slutz, Trinity Medical Center.

The group spent Friday evening identifying and discussing more than 50 research priorities and needs. Four themes were identified: Practice Outcomes; Curriculum Evaluation; Spirituality; and the Role of the Parish Nurse. On Saturday, the small groups worked with the themes identifying research questions; developing methodologies; and setting timelines for the research plans. Beverly Siegrist and Maggie Miller will co-chair the Research Committee and continue working with the small groups over the next several years. It was an energizing, enthusiastic group breaking new ground for the specialty practice of parish nursing. We are blessed! For more information about the Supplementary Curriculum, or the work of the Research Committee, contact Barbara Wehling, RN, PhD, at bwehling@eden.edu.