Urban Parish nurses: A qualitative analysis of the organization of work in community-based practices

Abstract

In the changing political economy of the health care environment, it is critical to understand the role of community providers serving vulnerable groups as central to their core service missions. Religion becomes salient in the work of health care providers in church communities. This study deconstructs and critically examines the factors that shape the work of nurses in urban congregations. The design utilized in-depth semi-structured interviews and a survey that included educational background, years in practice, congregation demographics and outreach activities.  Nurses discussed how their faith-based work aligns along broader common dimensions of their practice. The organization of work is a useful sociological framework in which to explore this community-based nursing specialty.