A New Paradigm for Health

Faith Community Nursing

Marcia A. Schnorr, RN, EdD

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… Has a unique blend of expertise in nursing

and skills in basic spiritual care Is in team ministry with the clergy

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 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 Begin with prayer Establish a “health cabinet” Educate Complete a needs assessment Begin…

Potential Faith Community Nurse

Salaried or unsalaried Part-time or full-time Institutional or faith community based Solo or team

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

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 Christian Muslim Jewish other

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

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… 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