In February Carla Swanson, parish nurse at Christ Lutheran Church in Marine stepped down from her position to return to nursing full time.

Soon after Sherri Baumann was appointed to fill the vacancy, which she began by returning to school‑—for a week of 12-hour a day classes.

“It was fun and exhausting,” Baumann said. “I was fortunate that the parish nursing classes were being taught in St. Paul at Luther Seminary in February. Instructors from the nursing program at Concordia College in Moorehead, Minn., come to the Twin Cities once a year, and I was able to slip into the classes this close to home.”

According to the Concordia Web site, their program has prepared more than 1,400 registered nurses to fill the parish nurse role in local churches since 1991.

A parish nurse must already be a registered nurse, but then she receives additional instruction—37 incredibly packed teaching hours, Baumann said—on topics like integrating faith and health, learning to be an effective advocate and working with people across the life span.

Baumann’s background includes receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Northern Illinois University and working direct care in intensive care units and critical care units. Parish nursing does not involve invasive procedures, so she will have a more relation-based assignment at Christ Lutheran.

Bauman will continue the previously running programs including healthy living classes and providing health assessments for individuals; delivering new mom baskets, arranging for screening services to come to the church campus and distributing prayer shawls.

She will change her availability by coming into the office two mornings a week as opposed to Wednesdays all day. Baumann has also been involved in organizing a Seniors and Friends service luncheon which happened the first of May, recognizing the role so many volunteers perform.

The best thing about her position?

“I am able to approach the total person in my role: mind, spirit, soul and body,” Baumann said.