Beth El Nurse
The Congregational Nurse is a currently licensed, registered nurse with a specialty in congregational nursing sanctioned by the American Nurses Association. The program integrates the expertise of a nurse with the spiritual foundation of Jewish tradition, providing effective support to Beth El members.
Benefits to the Beth El Congregants
- Outreach to all age groups wherever they may be to reinforce community.
- Visits an average of 140 members per month, reaching out to 1200 Beth El members in 2008.
- Ongoing education through monthly articles in the Shofar.
- A link to Yad V’lev (Caring Community) volunteers for help as needed.
- Emphasis on the homebound to strengthen a feeling of inclusion.
- A confidential listening ear to gain a holistic perspective.
- Recognizing and promoting the value of older adults as resources.
Services Provided
- Providing nursing assessment of both physical and mental health issues.
- Health screenings.
- Providing liaison service to community and Beth El resources.
- Educating in preventive health.
- Health advocacy: assisting with admissions/discharges from hospitals or nursing homes, attending medical and care conferences.
- Assisting members in adapting to lifestyle changes.
- Ongoing support for members with no family available locally.
- Updating Beth El clergy to reinforce their connection to members.
The Beth El Congregational Nurse program is made possible in part by grants from the Minneapolis Jewish Community Foundation, the Park Nicollet Foundation, the Mt. Sinai Foundation, The Roberta M. Weber Congregational Nurse Fund, the Sam & Chick Held Seniors Fund, and is supported by the NORC (Nurturing Our Retired Citizens) Program through Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis.
