Welcome to ELPNA-the Evangelical Lutheran
Parish Nurse Region 9 web page.
Allow us to introduce ourselves.

Nancy

I have been a RN for 54 years and a Parish Nurse at Christ Lutheran Church in Cape Coral 23 years.  The call to Parish Nursing was loud and strong one Sunday as my Pastor placed an ad in our Bulletin for a Parish Nurse.  I just knew that was me and over the course of 23 years as Parish Nurse, I have been in a paid position for a period of years as well as in a current non paid model.  Serving my congregation and the community has been a very personal journey and has allowed me to work as I needed.  I recently retired from a full-time management position as Parish Nurse Manager in a large health care system in Ft. Myers.  It was wonderful to be fully immersed in parish nursing in both positions.  I have taught the Foundations Course for many years and have found the course to be rewarding each time it is offered and I am involved in mentoring and helping RNs prepare themselves for this ministry of health and wholeness.

Currently, I continue as Region 9 ELPNA director along with my associate, Vicky Carlson who is the Parish Nurse at Peace Lutheran Church in Ft. Myers.  Vicky and her church are currently working on Senior Ministry Outreach.

One major challenge is the difficulty to identify where parish nurses are in other states as Region 9 includes parts of Pennsylvania, N. Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the Bahamas. We welcome you to contact us if you are in any of these areas and would like any assistance and/or to connect with you to offer support and a listening ear.  I have been a member of ELPNA since its inception and the opportunity to meet and talk with parish nurses across the United States is an honor.

Blessings on your Parish Nurse Ministry Path, Nancy Roberts, RN, BSN, FCN

Vicki     

I currently service as the Parish Nurse for Peace Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, Florida, an ELCA congregation. I graduated from the Florida Hospital Parish Nurse Institute in September of 2006. I was the Lead Parish Nurse at Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Southport, NC from 2006 until moving back to Fort Myers in August of 2021. I began at Peace on September 20, 2021.

I also hold certifications as a Spiritual Director from Haden Institute in NC, as well as certifications as an ELCA Lay Minister and Lay Preacher. I recently received commissioning as a Synod Parish Deacon in the Florida-Bahama Synod for Peace. I also hold a certificate as a Geriatric Care Coordinator.

I have served on the BOD of the ELPNA for the past 2 years as Secretary and look forward to serving for the next two years if elected.

Greetings to our Region 9
Parish Nurses/Faith Community Nurses

Nancy and Vicki are in conversation with Florida Bahamas Synod Bishop Pedro Suarez to begin discussing need to locate existing parish nurses in the Synod. Many have retired, and new nurses are beginning their ministry. The hope is that the Synod will assist in keeping a roster of ELCA Lutheran nurses in the Synod.

Educational Opportunities

Lee Health Health Classes and Conference information: www.leehealth.org/classes.asp

For questions call:  239-343-5182

Follow this link for the story of the Parish Nurse Ministry at Lee Memorial and their 25 years of ministry, of serving and caring. 
https://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/articles/faith-community-nurses-support-all-aspects-of-health/