…the heart of the faith community nursing movement,
Acting locally, inspiring globally
The Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing is a ministry of Church Health. As a leader in faith community nurse (FCN) education, consultation, and research for over 30 years, the Westberg Institute serves health ministry programs worldwide. Its mission is to promote the development of high-quality outcomes-based FCN practice as part of an overall health ministry program.
The 2020 Westberg Symposium at the Caring for the Human Spirit© Conference is now a Virtual Conference!
Based on the new guidelines and local recommendations to cancel or postpone large gatherings and in an effort to help the country’s efforts to minimize the spread of this virus, SCA in partnership with us have converted this year’s conference and symposium into a fully virtual conference.
We recognize and appreciate all that attendees, speakers, and presenters have put into preparing for what is to be a great event. Thank you for your patience while we worked to offer an option in everyone’s best interest to avoid travel and to bring you the entire conference via webcast. Your safety and health are extremely important to us.
What’s Next?
We know there is an enormous amount of excitement around the conference and symposium this year and we hope you will join us and participate online.
Virtual attendees will still be able to:
- receive continuing education credits (CEUs, CNEs, CMEs, Social Work Contact hours)
- access all the great content that has been put together (more information to be released soon)
- interact with speakers and one another via Q&A sessions
- receive a copy of all the recorded sessions as well as all the material, including PowerPoints, that speakers provide
If you would like to participate in the conference virtually, no action is needed on your part. We will automatically convert your registration to a webcast registration. Be looking for more information on accessing the virtual conference soon.
If you would rather not participate in the conference or symposium this year, we do understand and would like to offer you the following two options:
Option 1: Refund
Effective today, we are extending our cancellation policy until April 8. If you would like to cancel your registration, you may do so online by April 8 and receive a refund of your conference registration fees, minus a $75 administration fee. Please allow 60–90 days after the conference for your refund to process via check.
Option 2: Apply Registration Fees to Next Year’s Conference
Your total 2020 conference fees can apply to the 2021 conference and symposium which will take place April 12–14, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri. There are no administration fees with this option.
Finally, it is not too late to register!
If the virtual conference means you can participate, this is your chance.
Join us for a new webinar series: Leadership & Coordination for Faith Community Nurse Practice
Westberg Institute has partnered with the Spiritual Care Association (SCA) Nursing Division to open a new 8-module educational series: Leadership & Coordination for Faith Community Nurse Practice. Participants can receive 1.5 CNE credits for each module. Complete all 8 modules and receive 12 CNE credits, a certificate of recognition, and a lapel pin as an SCA Westberg Institute affiliated FCN Coordinator.
Educational Curricula
Various courses developed by faith community nursing practice experts and coordinated by the Westberg Institute are taught internationally by educational partners through hospitals, organizations, and networks.
CNE Provider Unit
The Westberg Institute is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Tennessee Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Course Topics
Foundations of Faith Community Nursing
Foundations of Faith Community Nursing is a 38-hour course focusing on the entry-level knowledge necessary for FCN practice. Its sections include spirituality, professionalism, wholistic health and community. This course fulfills the educational requirement for board certification in faith community nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
To find a course in your area, click here.
To receive the FCN monthly newsletter, contact Dr. Sharon Hinton at
FCN Coordinator Course
The FCN Coordinator Course equips FCNs in leadership and management positions to work with FCNs in various practice areas and networks. Leadership, funding, communications and documentation are included topics.
For Coordinator Course information, click here.
The Educator Course
The Educator Course provides instruction by Westberg Institute staff on how to teach the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course as an educational partner. The modified curriculum is available to international partners to fulfill the needs and customs of healthcare practices in various countries.
For course information, click here.
For more information about the curriculum, contact Dr. Susan Jacob at .
Supplemental Topics
Supplemental topics are available periodically for retreats and continuing education opportunities.
Education & Consultation
The Westberg Institute provides one-on-one, group and organizational consultation. Continuing education opportunities for various aspects of FCN health ministry, along with live and online presentations, are available. Additional services include retreats for educators and coordinators and regional network meetings. To learn about regional events, see our events calendar.
Click here to send an inquiry to the office.
Resource Development
Materials are created and published to support the development of FCN practice using outcomes-based best practices. Click here to visit Church Health’s online resource store.
FCN Platform
The Westberg Institute knowledge-sharing platform provides online communications access to share information and resource and fellowship with one another.
Click here for more information.
E-Notes
Stay up to date with the latest in faith community nursing. Sign up for email updates from the Westberg Institute.
Click here to receive our email updates .