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What is Faith Community Nursing?

Faith community nurses are licensed, registered nurses who practice wholistic health for self, individuals and the community using nursing knowledge combined with spiritual care. They 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 and other faith-based organizations to maintain and/or regain wholeness in body, mind, and spirit.

To be a faith community nurse, one:

  • must have an active license in the state of practice or international equivalent
  • should have a baccalaureate degree in nursing with experience in community nursing
  • should have completed an educational course to prepare for this ministry such as the foundations of faith community nursing
  • should have specialized knowledge of the spiritual beliefs and practices of the faith community, organizations and communities served
  • should reflect personal spirituality maturity in her/his practice
  • should be organized, flexible, self-started, and a good communicator

The practice is governed by:

  • the nurse practice act of their state or international equivalent

The practice is guided by:

Faith Community Nurses: A Short Discussion for Faith Communities about the Benefits Health Ministry Provides

Do you need a tool to introduce the specialty practice of faith community nursing to your faith community? Would you like to know more about faith community nursing and how health ministry works in communities of faith? Then this short webinar created by experts is for you! Faith Community Nurses: A Short Discussion for Faith Communities about the Benefits Health Ministry Provides is a short nine-minute presentation that describes the role of faith community nurses and the benefits they bring to communities of faith. This webinar is free and we encourage you to share this educational resource with other nurses and communities of faith. A downloadable handout is also available for your use.

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The Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing launched its first-ever online social media and knowledge sharing platform at the 2016 Westberg Symposium in Skokie, Illinois.

Currently, there are more than 1,600 nurses using the site to discuss health topics ranging from diabetes to heart disease and everything in between. Over 90 groups focusing on denomination, location, or general interest topics have been formed since its launch.

As a leader in faith community nurse education, consultation and research, the mission of the Westberg Institute is to promote the development of high quality outcomes-based FCN practice as part of an overall health ministry program.

 

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For More Information on Becoming a Faith Community Nurse

About Faith Community Nursing

Parish nursing is a growing specialty practice of professional nursing that is recognized by the American Nursing Association as faith community nursing. It is also a ministry that is embraced by many different religions and Christian denominations as well as other faith traditions. To better understand the foundation of this ministry, view the Philosophy, Root Assumption, and Strategic Vision.

As a nursing specialty, there are specific qualifications for those entering faith community nursing. A complete outline is listed below. The person must be a registered nurse with a current license or a student in a baccalaureate nursing education program. The person must also have at least 2-5 years of experience where skills have been developed for health assessment and problem-solving.

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Becoming a Faith Community Nurse

Training specifically designed for health ministry is necessary to understand the focus and tasks of the ministry. Courses are available in many locations throughout the US and in several countries on five continents. Foundations of Faith Community Nursing courses are offered in a variety of formats including weekly classes, on-line courses, retreat settings, and combinations of independent study and class work. Some offer continuing nursing education contact hours. Others are taught for University credit at both the BSN and MSN Levels.

Click here to search for upcoming Foundations courses offered in your area.

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Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Curriculum: Participant Guide 2019

PFoundations of Faith Community Nursing is a comprehensive curriculum preparing licensed registered nurses for the specialized practice of professional nursing focused on intentional care of the spirit as well as promotion of whole-person health and preventing or minimizing illness.

Click here for more information.

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