Primary care parish nursing: academic, service, and parish partnership.

Health care providers who want to make a difference in today's health care environment must support the idea of collaboration. To address the concerns of a university, a major medical center, and the community, a collaborative group shared their vision and developed creative strategies to serve the community. The critical components of this project included gaining the services of a nurse practitioner and nurse case manager, establishing physician liaison, assessing congregational health care needs, providing for both primary health and continuity of care needs, and maintaining the spiritual component of the faith community. Essential to the success of this program was the achievement of pastor and congregational support, enthusiasm, and involvement.