For Immediate Release: June 4, 2010

Contact: Judy Shackleford, PhD, RN Director of Continuing Education (217) 544-6464, ext. 45444

PARISH NURSE PROGRAM TRANSFERS TO DEPARTMENT OF CONTINUING EDUCATION, OFFERING COURSES IN JULY

SPRINGFIELD – St. John’s College is pleased to announce the transfer of the Parish Nurse Program to the Department of Continuing Education.

Housed in Spiritual Care since 2005, the Parish Nurse program educates nurses of all faiths to assume the role of parish nurse and begin program development within their own congregation.

Parish Nurse empowers nurses to establish ministries in their own congregations. Parish nurses do not provide hands-on care, but they help members of their congregation associate their faith with good health and general well-being.

The Parish Nurse Basic Preparation Course will be held on three consecutive Fridays from 5– 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. starting July 9-10 through July 23-24 in Conference Room Q at St. John’s Hospital (Carol Jo Vecchie Center). Area nurses of all faiths are welcome to take the course. An active RN license is required with a minimum of three years of professional experience.

The program cost is $400 which includes meals, parish nurse pin, certificate of completion, curriculum handouts, and 34 continuing education contact hours. Individuals can register at www.stjohnscollegespringfield.edu, go under Department of Continuing Education and click on Parish Nursing Program. Questions may be submitted from the web page or call (217) 544-6464 ext. 45444.

St. John’s College originated as St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1886 and is the oldest Catholic hospital nursing school in the United States. It is a single purpose, upper division institution of higher learning dedicated to offering a baccalaureate education in the discipline of professional nursing. St. John’s College is associated with the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis.