Education

Faith Community Nurse & Health Minister Training

Basic Faith Community Nurse Training — Who can take it?
This training is offered to those of any faith tradition who want to develop Health Ministry through their communities of faith.

What is a Faith Community Nurse (FCN)?
A FCN is a registered nurse with an active license in the state he/she has or has had a practice, who has taken the Basic Preparation Class For Faith Community Nurses to promote and practice Health Ministry. Whereas most health disciplines are trained in our aspect of medical care, FCNs are trained to nurture the whole person — body, mind and spirit. FCNs work in partnership with pastors, churches, hospitals, social service agencies, and the community. FCNs focus on prevention, wholeness, and wellness. In many communities of faith, the FCN is the Health Ministry team leader.

What is a Health Minister?
A Health Minister is a person in the congregation (other than a licensed RN) who has taken the Basic Preparation Class for Faith Community Nurses. His/her individual skills gifts are added to the Health Ministry Team and are often guided by a FCN or Health Ministry team leader. The Health Minister’s skills are assessed and used where most appropriate and helpful. Ministers are encouraged to go through the FCN course to better understand and direct the Health Ministry Team.

What is included in the FCN training?
There are 20 modules developed by the International Parish Nurse Resource Center (IPNRC) which are included in the basic course. Faculty trained by IPNRC are responsible for the trainings offered. The following is a list of the required core modules in the basic FCN course:

Core Modules

  • Health Healing and Wholeness in the Faith Community
  • History and Philosophy of Parish Nursing
  • Ethics in Parish Nursing
  • Legal Issues and Accountability in Parish Nursing
  • Self Care for Parish Nurses
  • Assessment, Individual, Family, Congregation
  • Function of the Parish Nurse: Integrator of Faith and Health
  • Function of the Parish Nurse: Personal Health Counselor
  • Function of the Parish Nurse: Health Educator
  • Function of the Parish Nurse: Health Advocate
  • Function of the Parish Nurse: Referral Agent
  • Function of the Parish Nurse: Coordinator of Volunteers
  • Function of the Parish Nurse: Accessing and Developing Support Groups
  • Getting Started
  • Functioning Within a Ministerial Team
  • Health Promotion and Wellness
  • Prayer and Worship Leader
  • Grief and Loss
  • Family Violence
  • Documentation

Is advanced training offered for FCNs?
Yes. There are two levels of continued education trainng available. The first is Supplemental Training Modules developed by IPNRC. These trainings may be administered singularly or in groups, depending on regional preference. Below is a list of Supplemental Modulss administered by IPNRC trained faculty:

Supplemental FCN Modules

  • Holistic Health of Children
  • Holistic Health of Adolescents and Young Adults
  • Holistic Health of Middle Adults
  • Holistic Health of Older Adults
  • Providing Spiritual Support
  • Sustaining and Nurturing the FCN Ministry
  • Promoting Mental Wellness
  • Process of Theological Reflection in Faith Community Nursing
  • End of Life Transitions
  • Measuring Faith Community Ministry
  • Applying Leadership Skills in Faith Community Nursing Ministry
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Complementary Therapies in Faith Community Nursing: Overview
  • Complementary Therapies in Faith Community Nursing: Imagery
  • Complementary Therapies in Faith Community Nursing: Meditation
  • Tools and Techniques for Teaching
  • FCNs and Emergency Preparedness
  • Chronic Illness Management FCN
  • Practice in Rural Faith Communities
  • Social Justice Role of the FCN with Vulnerable Populations
  • Identifying Strengths of Congregations
  • Leadership Transitions in Congregations
  • Caring for Families

The next level of training offered is Faith Community Nurse Coordinator. This training is geared toward a licensed RN who will serve as a community leader and guide for FCNs and Health Ministers. They commonly bring the faith communities and community agencies together in health promotion and disease prevention activities and networking. Often FCN Coordinators are employed by Hospital Systems to direct and build the outreach and networking with Faith Community Health Ministry Programs. As with the Basic and Supplemental trainings, this curriculum was developed by IPNRC and faculty trained by IPNRC oversees the course. Below are the modules offered in this course.

FCN Coordinator Modules

  • Role of the FCN Coordinator / Manager
  • Accountability
  • Self-Care for the FCN Coordinator
  • Working with Different Religious Traditions
  • Working with Churches
  • Current Issues in Healthcare
  • Securing Philanthropic Grant Support
  • Process of Theological Reflection in FCN Ministry
  • Human Resource Management Budgeting
  • Orientation of the New FCN — helping them get started
  • Documentation
  • FCN Program Development
  • Creation of a Mission and Vision
  • Planning for the Ongoing Development of the FCN: Personally, Professionally, and Spiritually