Faith Community Nursing

In faith community nursing, patients work with specially trained nurses who integrate spiritual care with health care to create a more holistic healing experience. The Church has continued to carry on the healing mission of Jesus through the sacraments, medical missionaries, Catholic hospital systems and a whole host of persons devoted to serving peoples’ health and healing needs. Faith Community nursing plays a vital role in the broader dimension of congregational ministries by bringing a registered nurse to the ministry team. This provides a unique blend of nursing and ministry.

Nursing Qualifications

The Church Health Center, located in Memphis, Tenn., recommends the following registered nurse qualifications for a parish nurse:

  • Graduate of an accredited registered nursing program, preferably with a BSN
  • Three to five years of clinical nursing practice
  • Current registered nurse license in Minnesota or the state he/she practices
  • Ability to work independently and within the context of a team
  • Community assessment skills
  • Possesses a good understanding of spirituality and religion
  • Completion of a Basic Parish Nurse Preparation Course

Our Philosophy

Faith Community Nursing is an emerging area of specialized professional nurse practice distinguished by the following characteristics:

  • Faith Community Nursing practice hold the spiritual dimension to be central to the practice. It also encompasses the physical, psychological and social dimensions of nursing practice.
  • The focus of practice is the faith community and its ministry. The Faith Community Nurse, in collaboration with the pastoral staff and congregational members, participates in the ongoing transformation of the faith community into a source of health and healing.
  • Faith Community Nurses’ Practice is designed to build on and strengthen capacities of individuals, families, and congregations to understand and care for one another as part of their relationship with God, faith traditions, themselves, and the broader society. The practice holds that all persons are sacred and must be treated with respect and dignity.

Adapted from Solari-Twadell A, McDermott, M.A., Ryan, J.A. Djupe, A.M. (1941) [RMI]. Assuring Visibility for the Future: Guidelines Development for Parish Nurse Education Programs. Lutheran General Health System, Park Ridge, Ill.