About faith community nursing

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN FAITH COMMUNITY?

A Christian faith community may be a:

church/parish/congregation,
faith based care agency, community house,
faith based school,
faith based aged care facility,
group or institution conducted under the auspices of the church

WHO IS THE FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE?

The faith community nurse (FCN) is a registered nurse who works with a Christian faith community. These nurses are also known by other names such as 'parish nurse', 'pastoral nurse', 'congregational nurse', 'church nurse', or similar.

All FCNs must be legally registered to practice nursing by the nursing authority in their state or territory, and be in possession of a current annual practising certificate. Nurses who cannot meet the requirements for current practising certificates, or who have let their registration lapse, may work as assistants in health ministry, but may not assume the title of 'nurse'.

Faith community nursing ministry is a growing health care movement that integrates the Christian church's ministry of healing and wholeness into the health care continuum of the nation. It aims to promote the health of the faith community by working within and beyond the faith community, to help individuals and communities to integrate their spiritual, psychological, socio-cultural and physical dimensions, thereby promoting health and healing. Faith community nursing provides a unique linkage between the faith community, various health care agencies, the local community, and society as a whole.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING?

The goal of the FCN's health ministry is transformation of individuals and communities into integrated, healthy and whole people. This transformative process is a dynamic life-long journey that enables people to grow closer to Christ and become more like Christ in every dimension of their life. The FCN seeks to change the individual's conceptualisation of health and healing, empowering them to act in ways that enable them to respond positively to life, and improve their well being. Thus all functions of the FCN aim to nurture spiritual growth and clarify relationships between faith and health.

The cultural and religious group employing the FCN will influence the focus of each FCN's work. The aim of all education, counselling, advocacy, referral, and care management is to help people to integrate the spiritual dimension, so that even in the presence of incurable disease, people can find well being. All health care is aimed at assisting the person in the process of 'becoming', to draw closer to God and thus nurture their growth toward wholeness through Jesus Christ.

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WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE?

The FCN responds to Christ's redeeming love by offering her/his personal gifts and nursing knowledge/skills in service for all. This activity occurs in the context of the faith community as part of the Christian church's response to Jesus' message; "...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25: 40

The FCN cares for the body, mind and spirit, nurturing the growth towards wholeness in and through Christ. The FCN ministry seeks to assist the Christian church in caring for God's people to facilitate their journey towards forgiveness, healing, hope, peace and wholeness. "Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action is dead." James 2:17

WHAT IS THE FOUNDATION FOR FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING?

Faith community nursing draws its foundations from Scripture. The FCN recognises that:

Each person is God's creation and made in the image of God, a celebration of God's love, made holy through Jesus Christ and set aside for His purpose. "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27
Our body is a gift from God and the temple of the Holy Spirit. The way in which we respect, care and use our body is our gift of love and praise to God.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The human spirit integrates each person's mental and physical dimensions. Wholeness is the integration of these dimensions through Jesus Christ to restore harmony with God and all of creation. "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23
The FCN health ministry is modelled on the example of Jesus, who came to preach, teach and heal. "He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick." Luke 9:2
The Christian Church has been called to follow Jesus' lead and go out to love and serve each other, and the people of the world. "For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you." John 13:15

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING?

The Faith Community Nurse, as a representative of a particular Christian faith community, provides a holistic approach to care and nurture of the individual, the congregation and the community, throughout all stages of life regardless of ability, gender, colour, creed, or socioeconomic status. The FCN is able to provide support and education to empower the congregation to adopt healthy lifestyle patterns and enhance spiritual growth.

The fragmentation of the extended family, and in some cases the immediate family, has created a gap leaving many single parents, the elderly and fragile individuals unsupported and alone. The faith community is enriched by the expertise nurses have in caring for the disadvantaged and marginalised.

Our over-burdened health care system, its strained use of resources and shrinking health care dollars, equate to a very complicated health care system. More than ever the focus on treatment and cure needs to change to illness prevention and health promotion. The Faith community Nurse's (FCN's) ministry focuses on nurturing healthy relationships between the individual, other people, the creation and God, thus promoting health and wellbeing. Individuals with existing disease are empowered to take responsibility for their health and better manage their condition using the FCN as a resource person and advocate. This care occurs within the context of a supportive faith community.

The FCN's ministry also focuses on community health. Churches are the only places in our society where people of all ages congregate regularly and can forge long-term relationships across the life span. Faith communities allow people to be connected, to serve, and to be served. They provide a common history and destiny for life's journey. They allow us to accompany each other in the journey, providing us with companions, energy and resources to continue our travel. The faith community is a safe place for us to grow and become; to bless and to be blessed, to pray and bring each other before God's throne of grace. A loving faith community is a healing place and these relationships create the basis for true community health, which the FCN seeks to promote and nurture.

For centuries Christian churches have been involved with sponsoring hospitals, health care facilities, social welfare agencies, and nursing programs. They have always embraced the relationship between spirituality and health. Now there is the opportunity for churches to become actively involved in Primary Health Care by supporting health promotion and illness prevention programs emanating from the congregation through the health ministry of the FCN.

"The Parish Nurses are indeed a manifest realisation of our parish vision, which is 'to become a community reaching out to all in the name of Christ Jesus'." Father James Valladerez (Roman Catholic Priest)

"The concept is magnificent! It provides holistic care. It fits in well with our overall pastoral care. The Parish Nurse fits into that overall ministry of care in this parish. It is an integrated approach and people regularly refer to her, other people she can follow up." Rev. Bob George (Anglican Priest)

"We've been very, very pleased with the way it has worked out. There have been a whole lot of other new dimensions of ministry that have opened up which have never been opened before. It has certainly enhanced our caring ministry for people. They come with a physical problem and this can open the possibility of discussing life, spiritual matters such as the person's relationships with God, faith and the impact this is having on their health etc. Many of these relationships in the family impact on the relationship of the individual with God. Rev. Robert Wiebusch (Lutheran Pastor)

WHAT DOES THE FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE (FCN) DO?

1. Health Educator and Facilitator

The FCN uses various and appropriate methods to educate individuals and to facilitate small group learning in the areas of: lifestyle, behaviour, faith, health enhancement activities, illness risk reduction, disease management, environment awareness, social justice and other health and well-being issues that are pertinent to the group of people the FCN serves.

2. Advocate

FCNs may be requested to support a person, or persons regarding their health care, or their rights regarding health care. This may involve interpreting points of view and helping people to 'see' another perspective. Thus this function may include mediation to bring about agreement and/or reconciliation between people. Advocacy includes prayer with (and for) clients and their families.

3. Personal Health Counsellor

Personal and small group counselling is an important aspect of the role. This may entail helping people with health problems through listening, advising, supporting and recommending referral, as required. In addition, the FCN provides home visits and monitors progress as requested. The role includes offering knowledge of viable options to assist the individual to make informed choices in a supported environment.

4. Resource and Referral Agent

The FCN liaises between the individual and the faith community, and also the individual and other health and community services. The FCN is able to negotiate access to, and assist entry into health services or support networks in the local community, of which people may be unaware. This resource and referral activity occurs within the faith community and beyond. The aim is to better manage and coordinate care for individuals and communities.

5. Coordinator of Health Ministry Volunteers

The FCN organises, educates and supports groups of ancillary workers and volunteers to support the health ministry of the faith community.

6. Care Manager

The FCN assists clients with an existing illness, complex condition and/or disability to manage their condition, prevent exacerbations, and/or limit complications. The FCN's holistic approach to care management considers the client, their family, the client environment and the faith community, when developing care management with the client.

Other responsibilities of an FCN include:

active participation in the worship life of the faith community;
active team membership/leadership within the congregation;
creating, maintaining and storing confidential client records;
on-going evaluation of the FCN role, functions and programs;
self-care: to ensure personal spiritual growth and capacity to cope in this demanding position.

WHAT IS THE FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE PAID?

In the USA many parish nurses are salaried by their faith community, or a sponsoring organisation such as a faith-based hospital, aged care facility, or congregation. In Australia most FCNs are employed in an unsalaried position, volunteering between 4 and 10 hours per week in their professional role, gifting their knowledge and skills to the community. However, there are some FCNs who receive a salary for their work and are thus able to provide a more extensive service. If the FCN is salaried, the industrial rates for an registered nurse should apply. Salaries for FCNs are funded in the following ways:

private sponsorship from individuals, or corporate sponsors;
sponsorship from private benefactors, foundations, and funding agencies;
grants for specific project work from community and government funding agencies;
contributions from members of the faith community;
partnerships with other community, health and aged care agencies.