“I’m renewing my nursing license in October. That will be 63 years of being a nurse and I love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else” is one of the first things St. Thomas More Parish Nurse Julie Testen told The Press recently. She went on to explain how even as a little girl, she would dream of becoming a nurse in order to help people.

At the age of 16, Testen decided to make her dream a reality and entered the nursing program at Sacred Heart Hospital. She married at the age of 20 and had four girls by 25. She has eight grandchildren and is excited at the thought of being a great-grandmother in a few months.

Although she is a credited nurse, she is determined to complete her degree in nursing from Kutztown University. To date, she has completed 20 credits.

Testen has 45 years of experience in long-term care facilities and regularly visits six nursing homes in her role as parish nurse. She told The Press how happy she is to be able to once again be able to conduct the ceremony to serve the Eucharist in person.

During the height of the pandemic, times were difficult for those living in long-term care facilities. “Many were frightened and did not fully understand what was happening” Testen said. Seeing familiar faces and being able to reassure those residents was crucial and this return to normalcy is much needed for them.

Testen makes the most of her regular visits, ensuring parishioners and their families know help and support is there for them.

As parish nurse, Testen feels a strong responsibility in representing her congregation of St. Thomas More Church, 1040 Flexer Ave., Salisbury. She has been involved with the church and its congregation since it was established in 1966.

On Oct. 1, 1980, while cleaning a pew, someone said hello to her. It was Rev. Msgr. John P. Murphy, a person who would become a mentor to her. Testen speaks highly of him and explains how Murphy paid for some of her studies and encouraged her through the years in her tasks of parish nurse. As she explained, his deep belief in her abilities to help people has been at the root of her strength and confidence to help those around her.

When speaking to her, the love and respect she feels for both the parishioners and those she works with is unshakable. Her strong sense of what a community should be, both within the St. Thomas More congregation and in the township, is clear.

“Helping each other and mentoring are key to a strong community” Testen explained.

The last six months have been challenging for her with two cardiac surgeries and one knee replacement. These physical setbacks have not dampened her spirit of helping others, nor mentoring younger nurses.

“I’ve had lots of blessings in my life. I believe it’s important to give back and I’m not done helping those who need it,” Testen said.