"Crescent" support helps Muslims.

• Position: Nursing

A new version of parish nursing called "crescent" has been created by Radford (Va.) University graduate student Jennifer Simpson. In parish nursing, a nurse provide services in a Christian or Jewish place of worship. In crescent nursing, a Muslim nurse will render primary and preventative care to Muslim followers while the mosque will offer both location and support for the services given. The practice crescent nursing is novel to U.S. healthcare in that it provides religion-based nursing outside of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Similar to many other minorities low incomes, cultural and language differences, and a lack of communication and awareness about healthcare services are barriers to Muslims acquiring health care that suits their needs. "When I started my classes in nursing, the textbook talked about being culturally sensitive.... They barely discussed the culturally sensitive care needed for the Muslim patient. There is not a I lot known about providing healthcare to Muslims."

Simpson converted to Islam three years ago. She later married a Muslim from Jordan. She says that she I saw a "great open door" for her work--to educate Muslims and those...