Chaplain For Hospital

Bairnsdale Regional Health Service has recently added a new service for patients, families of patients, and staff members. With the addition of Julie Nelson, Bairnsdale Hospital now offers Chaplaincy services to those in need. Chaplaincy services can help to provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and families.

As an Ordained Anglican Deacon, Julie Nelson could officially be referred to as "Reverend." However, Julie says, "I find that formalities are usually not conducive to an open, trusting and healing relationship, so in person I like to go by Julie, or if a person prefers more formality they can call me Chaplain."

Julie comes to Bairnsdale Health Service with a degree in Theology, parish experience, clinical training and experience in Pastoral Education and Chaplaincy in both acute medical facilities, general care and Spiritual Companioning. She has completed training at Advanced Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) centres in Melbourne. Additionally, Julie spent a post graduate study year at ISL (Institute for Spiritual Leadership) Chicago, and opened the Anglican Chaplaincy service for Albury Base Hospital.

In addition to general pastoral care of patients, Julie can also help strengthen relationships between patients and their own faith communities. "Spiritual care can help patients and family members in their search for meaning during an illness or stressful situation. However, not all patients are seeking spiritual care, and in that case, I can be a person who they can talk to about whatever is on their minds," Julie said. "As both Anglican and Inter-Church Chaplain functioning at Bairnsdale, she will be able to help patients and families by encouraging the use of their own faith healing resources when appropriate.

"My job calls for a lot of listening. I listen to patients and their stories. I listen to who they are and how they live their lives. And then I listen to them as integrate their illness into their lives and support the healing possibilities they discover for themselves."

Julie, who will split her time between A Pastoral Care Visitors Training Programme and visiting patients, looks forward to the opportunity to work in two very different areas of ministry. "I have felt very well received by the people of this community and the members of the staff at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service and am very excited about the opportunity to work in a regional hospital; it’s such a close-knit community. I’m looking forward to the training programme for volunteers too. We are using the upstairs training facility at the hospital on 5^th, 12^th and 19^th August from 1 - 4 pm" Julie said.

When asked about the toll that this type of work has on her emotionally, Julie responded, "I feel privileged because my ministry reminds me of how important intimacy with life and death are. There are several symbols that are part of my "knowing" what pastoral care is; one is biblical image - that of accompanying people through the valley of the shadow, I introduce them and then return, another an awareness of how people are like a crystal glass - both fragile and tough. These images and others help me too and keep me in touch with my own spirituality."

Patients, families, clergy and staff can access Chaplaincy services at Bairnsdale Hospital in a number of ways. First, Julie will be making routine visits through the hospital on Thursdays. Nursing staff, doctors and counsellors may also let a patient know that services are available and help make a referral. Finally, any patient, family member or staff person may request Chaplaincy services simply by asking a staff member, by calling 5150 3333 and asking for her, or coming to her office Wednesday or Friday on the ground floor of the hospital.

Julie Nelson lives and worships in Paynesville, and has two adult daughters Christine and Ruth and two adorable grandchildren Hannah & Samuel.