Faith Community Nursing
The Faith Community Nursing program offers a unique partnership between two healing entities; our hospitals and the faith community. Faith Community Nurses partner with clergy and healthcare organizations to advocate for the health and well-being of the congregation. While the focus of the program is on preventative healthcare, some of the ways members are helped to lead healthier lives is through education, screenings and referrals to community resources.
Faith Community Nursing Course
Faith Community Nursing (FCN) is the specialized practice of professional nursing that focuses of the intentional care of the spirit as well as the promotion of wholistic health and prevention or minimization of illness within the context of a faith community.
The FCN Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Curriculum is based on:
- The 2014 Revision by the International Parish Nurse Resource Center
- The Faith and Community Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA/HMA, 2012)
Faith Community Nursing Course Registration
Model for Healthy Living
View Model for Healthy Living Document
Benefits of Faith Community Nursing
Congregational benefits include allowing the church to reaffirm its role in ministering to the whole person--body, mind, and spirit, enhancing the ability of the church to respond to the health needs of the congregation, thereby impacting the wellness of the faith community.
Responsibilities of a Faith Community Nurse may include:
- Answering questions about a diagnosis, medical treatment, medication, or procedure
- Coordinating a treatment plan given by a doctor
- Checking blood pressure
- Visiting homes, hospitals, or convalescent facilities as needed to check on the health status of members, or for bereavement
- Accompanying a member to their doctors appointment to be a "second set of ears"
- Staying with a member during surgery if family is not available
- Helping a member prepare for his/her next doctors appointment
- Providing referrals to community agencies
- Praying with members
Who is a Faith Community Nurse?
Recognized as a specialty by the American Nurses Association, a Faith Community Nurse is a spiritually mature, professional registered nurse, called and committed to the healing ministry of the the church. Completing a basic preparation course lays the necessary foundation for successful health ministry.
Care-A-Van Program
OSF Care-A-Van is a mobile health center staffed by members of OSF HealthCare and its Faith Community Nursing program. Our Team is ready to assist individuals in the community with access to care, health education, physician visits, and even assist with tasks such as signing up for health coverage and exploring advanced care planning.
We travel to where people work, pray and play to connect patients to care when they might not be able to get to the doctor on their own – or even know where to start when they have a health need.
Learn More About Our Care-A-Van Program
St. Ann’s Garden of Hope
Growing in space and harvest each year, St. Ann’s Garden of Hope is a place where people gather to celebrate life, build friendships, beautify their neighborhood and promote good nutrition by growing healthy food for people who live in the area.
Become a Volunteer
Interested in becoming a volunteer?
Learn more
To learn more about establishing a Faith Community Nursing program in your congregation, call (309) 282-1692.