Laurie Duke

Laurie was trained in BC as a registered nurse about 30 years ago and has worked in Vancouver (primarily in the area of geriatric psychiatry) ever since.

She has also been a member of the L’Arche Community in Burnaby for over 35 years, working in various leadership roles. This simple community of faithful relationships has had an important role in shaping both her Christian journey and life choices.

Feeling somewhat disoriented and in need of refreshment in her vocation, Laurie took a learning sabbatical in 2016, focusing her studies on a certification in Parish Nursing and completing this Internship at Grandview Church, where she has been a member since since 2012.

The role of the Parish Nurse at our church is a new and slowly evolving one that we are mutually discovering. Currently, Laurie is hired for 4 hours each week to support our community in areas of health education, health counselling, health advocacy, and resource referral. Our church has a Health Committee that Laurie works with closely as well.

“The Parish Nurse, as a bridge between the health care system and the faith community, can assist us in more fully embracing our missional call to heal…”

If you are interested in reading more from Laurie’s final paper, where she attempts to articulate a vision for the role of the parish nurse in the wider church community, you can find it HERE!