What Is Faith Community ? (a.k.a. Parish Nursing)

Parish Nursing was developed by a Lutheran minister, Dr. Granger Westberg in the early 1980s. He recognized the church has promoted health and wholeness for centuries through worship, music, sharing and caring and that it is the only human institution in our society that interacts with individuals from birth through death. A Faith Community/Parish Nurse’s presence promotes an intentional health ministry. Faith is a nursing specialty with its own scope and standards of practice.

What is a Faith Community Nurse (FCN)? A Faith Community Nurse is a (RN) who has had educational preparation in wholistic ministry and who provides special health promotion services within a given faith community. She/he assists individuals in gaining optimal mental, physical and spiritual health by complementing the ministry provided by the Pastor(s) and other lay ministers. They may function in paid and unpaid positions as members of the pastoral team in a variety of religious faiths, cultures, and countries. The focus of their work is on the intentional care of the spirit, assisting the members of the faith community to maintain and/or regain wholeness in body, mind, and spirit. Faith Community Nurses perform different services, based on the congregation’s needs. Some of the services/programs might include:

• Screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, glaucoma and overall fitness • Classes for all age groups offered on health related issues (e.g., advance directives, nutrition, exercise, parenting, elderly parents care, stress management, CPR) • Hospital, nursing home and home visits for assessment of needs • Special prayer and healing services • Referrals to appropriate community resources • Health tips via newsletter, bulletin or informational board

A Faith Community Nurse serves as a bridge to better HEALTH in the following roles:

H ealth counselor and promoter (provides screening clinics or health fairs)

E ducator of wholistic health (seeks to promote understanding of the relationship between lifestyle, attitudes, faith and well-being)

A dvocate/resource/referral agent (answers questions related to health and care)

L iaison with community services (refers individuals to appropriate community agencies)

T eacher of volunteer/support groups (educates on health and wellness topics and supports volunteers)

H ealer of spirit, mind and body (serves as a member of the church staff, and in partnership with the pastor(s), meets the wholistic healing mission of the church).

Why consider becoming a Faith Community Nurse? There are several reasons to consider Faith Community Nursing: 1. Provides an opportunity for a nurse to combine faith with health promotion. 2. Offers opportunity and permission to address spiritual care for individuals. 3. Formalizes the role of a nurse in a church to an educated Faith Community Nurse. 4. Provides a known and trusted resource for health in the faith-based congregation. 5. Allows a nurse to work full- or part-time in one nurse position while offering the opportunity to also work as a part-time FCN – either paid or unpaid 6. Provides an additional community resource for patients after hospitalization 7. It is a wonderful ministry!

A Faith Community Nurse does NOT: • Provide hands on care (the FCN makes referrals to Home Health or other community agency to provide direct care). • Replace the other active ministries already present within a congregation; rather complements the work of the clergy and ministerial team.

To learn more about Faith Community Nursing: Lorie Henley, FCN Coordinator for SU - [email protected] The Foundations in Faith Community Nursing course is offered in the Spring and the Advance Preparation Course for Faith Community Nurse Coordinators and Managers is in the fall semester. Session’s dates TBA with 40 ANA Contact Hours. 9-15-16