Faith Community Nurse

A New Paradigm for HealthFaith Community Nursing: 

A New Paradigm for Health Faith Community Nursing Marcia A. Schnorr, RN, EdD

A faith community nurse…: 

A faith community nurse… Is a registered nurse with specialized education in the integration of faith and health Reaches out to people of all ages Promotes health in individuals, groups, the faith community, and beyond Follows all applicable nursing laws and standards for practice

Continued…: 

Continued… Has a unique blend of expertise in nursing and skills in basic spiritual care Is in team ministry with the clergy

Modern History: 

Modern History Parish Nursing was introduced by Granger Westberg (mid 20th century) in Chicago There is an estimated 5000 faith community nurses in the United States Faith community nurses can be found in various faith communities A World Forum for Faith Community Nursing has representatives from several countries

Global Overview: 

Global Overview World Forum: USA, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Swaziland, Korea, New Zealand… “Some interest”: Costa Rica, Cuba, Kenya, and others

How to Start Faith Community Nursing: 

How to Start Faith Community Nursing Begin with prayer Establish a “health cabinet” Educate Complete a needs assessment Begin…

Potential Faith Community Nurse: 

Potential Faith Community Nurse Salaried or unsalaried Part-time or full-time Institutional or faith community based Solo or team

Essential Traits: 

Essential Traits Spiritual maturity Competent Responsible Good communicator Licensed as required by law

Roles for Faith Community Nurse: 

Roles for Faith Community Nurse Health educator Personal health counseling Liaison with the community Coordinator of caregiving volunteers Integration of faith and health

Faith community Nursing: 

Faith community Nursing Christian Muslim Jewish other

Health Ministry: 

Health Ministry Opportunities for other health care professionals and paraprofessionals Will need to adjust the scope of ministry to remain within the limits of education and standards for practice

Faith Community Nursing Education : 

Faith Community Nursing Education Specialized courses offered in short intensive workshops (usually less than a week) Distance learning options include more content and could be offered in different formats (e.g. on-line, correspondence, other) Spiritual care component specific to faith community—or generic allowing individual to adapt to own religion.

Words of advise…: 

Words of advise… Continue to pray Be more concerned with being faithful than with counting numbers Do not take on too much too soon…but don’t wait too long to do something Expect frustrations Expect blessings

Faith Community Nursing:A New Paradigm for Health: 

Faith Community Nursing: A New Paradigm for Health