Faith Community Nurses Impacting Communities Externally Focused Conference Charleston, SC October 3-5, 2011 Renatta S. Loquist, MN, RN, FAAN Jenny E. Holmes, MSN,RN

Faith Community Nursing …the specialized practice of professional nursing that focuses on the intentional care of the spirit as part of the process of promoting wholistic health and preventing or minimizing illness in a faith community

Evolution of FCN Nursing has historical roots in ancient traditions of major religions Nursing has historical roots in ancient traditions of major religions Religious groups founded hospitals to care for the vulnerable populations Religious groups founded hospitals to care for the vulnerable populations Religious groups developed schools of nursing Religious groups developed schools of nursing Parish nursing movement begun by Dr. Granger Westberg (1979) Parish nursing movement begun by Dr. Granger Westberg (1979)

Assumptions of FCN 1. Health and illness are human experiences. 2. Health is the integration of the spiritual, physical, psychological, and social aspects of the patient promoting a sense of harmony with self, others, the environment, and a higher power. 3. Health may be experienced in the presence of disease or injury.

Assumptions of FCN 4. The presence of illness does not preclude health nor does optimal health preclude illness. 5. Healing is the process of integrating the body, mind, and spirit to create wholeness, health, and a sense of well-being, even when the patient’s illness is not cured.

Professional Practice (Legal/Professional Guidance) Code of Ethics for Nurses (ANA, 2001) Code of Ethics for Nurses (ANA, 2001) Nursing’s Social Policy Statement (ANA, 2003) Nursing’s Social Policy Statement (ANA, 2003) Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA, 2005) Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA, 2005)

Confidentiality

Common Expectation The FCN must posses an understanding of the faith community’s traditions in addition to the competence as a registered nurse utilizing the nursing process to integrate care of the mind, body and spirit.

Preparation of a FCN Continuing education programs Continuing education programs Baccalaureate and graduate level nursing courses Baccalaureate and graduate level nursing courses Religious education to include dual master’s degrees in nursing and theology Religious education to include dual master’s degrees in nursing and theology Health ministry training Health ministry training

Goals of the FCN To protect, promote and optimize health and abilities To protect, promote and optimize health and abilities To prevent illness and injury To prevent illness and injury To respond to suffering in the context of the values, beliefs and practices of a faith community To respond to suffering in the context of the values, beliefs and practices of a faith community

Collaboration With Other Nursing Specialties Hospice Hospice Community Health Community Health Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Home Health Home Health Acute Care Acute Care Critical Care Critical Care

Responsibilities FCN is a member of the multidisciplinary staff of a faith community FCN is a member of the multidisciplinary staff of a faith community FCN is the sole healthcare provider in this non-healthcare setting FCN is the sole healthcare provider in this non-healthcare setting

Settings Worship Worship Educational programs Educational programs Support or special interest groups Support or special interest groups Spiritual growth or renewal groups Spiritual growth or renewal groups Support services like soup kitchens Support services like soup kitchens

Models and Best Practices Hospital Based Hospital Based –Paid –Unpaid –Network Church Based Church Based –Paid –unpaid

Hospital Based Paid Paid –Hospital hires nurses to work in various faith based areas of the community Program: Network Program: Network –Hospital program provides support, education and resources for FCN’s working in their faith communities

Examples of Best Practices in Hospital Based Programs Color Me Healthy Nutrition Education for the Congregation

Community Health Information Partnership Computers & Internet access for faith communities. Training and education for FCN’s.

Bulletin Boards in a Bag

Church Challenge at CPR Saturday

Church Based

Best Practices

Health Ministry Teams

Accountability

Impact Impact Reduces health care costs Reduces health care costs Improves quality of life Improves quality of life Assists individuals to learn new and modify lifestyle behaviors Assists individuals to learn new and modify lifestyle behaviors Assists in maintaining the frail elderly in their home settings Assists in maintaining the frail elderly in their home settings Serves as a resource to those with chronic and functional disability Serves as a resource to those with chronic and functional disability

“ The most important potential impact that faith communities can have is not in replacing acute care or even primary care health services but in health education, disease and injury prevention and those activities which reduce the isolation and marginalization of people.” Gary Gunderson, Director, The Carter Center Interfaith Health Program

Questions?