Westberg Institute Community
The heart of the faith community nursing movement, Acting locally, inspiring globally.
…the heart of the faith community nursing movement,
Acting locally, inspiring globally
Welcome to the Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing website. The Westberg Institute, originally known as the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, has been proudly serving parish/ faith community nurses since 1986.Here you will find a wealth of information about the specialty practice of faith community nursing. As you visit the various information tabs, you will find information about the history of faith community nursing in the United states and around the world, educational offerings and events, resources for practice, and much more.
We also encourage you to also visit our sister website www.spiritualcareassociation.org/nursing where you will find a wealth of information about spiritual care in nursing practice and chaplaincy. Members of the Spiritual Care Association Nursing Division enjoy additional benefits and resources including discounts for educational offerings and the annual International Westberg Symposium.
A prayer for Ukraine
by Rev. Dr. Helen Wordsworth
Almighty and Loving God, We pray for the people of Ukraine, for all those suffering or afraid, injured, bereaved, or having to leave their homes. Be close to them and protect them. We especially pray for the children, the elderly and vulnerable.
We pray for the Parish nurses there in Kiev and Donetsk and around the country. We thank you for the work that our sister Pam D’Andre has been able to do over many years and we ask for her safety and the protection of others on her team.
We pray for all world leaders, for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices. May truth and justice and peace become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for all the world.
We pray for the world that in this moment of crisis, we may reach out in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in need, wherever they are and from whatever background they come.
Prince of peace, this is your world. May Your Kingdom come and Your Will be done.
Amen.
Join the Faith Community Nurse Knowledge Sharing Platform!
The FCN knowledge sharing platform was created to provide a safe, private community for all faith community nurses and those interested in spiritual care in nursing with the ability to communicate electronically. The platform is free and community member emails are not shared or sold outside of the platform.
Nurses from around the world interact individually and through the many interest groups that make up the FCN Knowledge Sharing Platform. Joining is easy!
An invitation will be sent to your email (if you don't find it in your inbox, check your spam folder). Reply to the invitation and complete your profile. You may join any of the current groups or start a new group if you do not find a group that covers your specific interests. Be sure to join the announcements group to receive the latest information on activities, events, and topics for discussion.
For more Information and Registration, please click here.
The Annual International Westberg Symposium is a gathering place for education, fellowship and information sharing for faith community nurses and others interested in spiritual care. The first Westberg Parish Nurse Symposium was held in 1987 at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. It included 3 general sessions and one breakout. The symposium has grown in attendance and scope over the past 35 years. In 2020 the Westberg Symposium began a mutually beneficial partnership with the Caring for the Human Spirit Conference bringing together nurses and chaplains for a combined, interdisciplinary conference experience. Due to the COVID pandemic, the last several symposiums have been offered virtually. Plans are already being made for a live conference in St Louis, Missouri for 2023.
2022 Westberg Symposium at the Caring for the Human Spirit Conference
Theme: Embracing a Bright Future: diversity in faith community nursing practice
Diversity is multifaceted. Culture, race, religion, and practice setting are only a few of the influences faith community nurses combine to provide wholistic care. Along with diversity, the multifaceted aspects of healthcare also influence the future of our specialty practice.
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.
To send an inquiry to the office, click here.
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
Spiritual Care Association Nursing Division is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Course Topics
Foundations of Faith Community Nursing
Foundations of Faith Community Nursing is a 36.5-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 entry into practice in faith community nursing.
Leadership and Coordination Courses
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.
The Educator Courses
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.
Transitional Care Courses
The Updates in Transitional Care Series assists the participant to discover best-practice, research-based methods to enhance the care of people experiencing transition from one level of care to another by encouraging collaboration between the hospital and faith community in order to encourage wholistic health. Transitional care enhances the patient discharge experience from hospital to home and strives to eliminate unnecessary hospital re-admissions.