Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Curriculum

Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Class - Spring 2024
Virtual Class Scheduled for Apr. 28, 29 & May 5, 6
Download event brochure (PDF)
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• For currently licensed RNs who want to practice as Faith Community Nurses. This class (offered online) includes 36.5 contact hours. Please see links above for more information. Please contact Bethany.Tollefson@centracare.com for additional questions.
• The Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Course is based on the curriculum developed through the Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing, which is owned by Church Health of Memphis, Inc., 1350 Concourse Ave., Ste. 142, Memphis, TN 38104.

In faith community nursing, clients work with specially trained nurses who integrate spiritual care with health care to create a more holistic healing experience. Faith community nursing plays a 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. However, one does not need to be connected with a faith community to become a Faith Community Nurse. For more information, please see our Becoming a Faith Community Nurse webpage.

Across the United States, 140 locations/universities/agencies provide the basic education required for a Parish Nurse/Faith Community Nurse.

  • Concordia College of Moorhead – Visit website for more information.
  • Faith Community Nurse Network of the Greater Twin Cities (FCNNTC) offers the International Parish Nurse Resource Center (IPNRC) certified course in a 42.4 CEU format taught by professional nursing faculty who are both educators and experienced faith community nurses representing an array of faith community nursing practice. For more information or questions about the Faith Community Nursing Course, please contact FCNN at 651-204-0904 or contact@fcnntc.org. To register, download a brochure and to learn more, please visit www.fcnntc.org/education/foundations-course/.

Continuing Education: Required Ongoing Education

Parish Nurses are required to meet the Minnesota Board of Nursing criteria for continuing education which is 24 hours every two years. These continuing education programs may include both clinical nursing as well as courses that enhance the parish nurse role.

  • MN Board of Nursing contact hours (formerly referred to as Continuing Education Units or CEUs) are based on 60 minutes of learning. Last at least 0.25 contact hours (15 minutes). Continuing Education. Overview (CE Rules & Requirements) from MN Department of Nursing Continuing Ed Link: MN Board of Nursing CE Rules. Learn more at http://mn.gov/boards/nursing/licensure/continuing-ed/
  • Parish Nurses in the Diocese of Saint Cloud are required to complete the Diocesan Safe Environment Training and report the training to the parish office.

Faith Community Nurse Recruitment Samples

Faith Community Nursing is 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. It is a part of a broader outreach health ministry. With parish nursing and a structured health ministry program, the parishioners find connectedness, encouragement, hope and love.

Download the following resources to help recruit other Faith Community Nurses and share information about its mission.

View Sample Bulletin Announcement via Google Docs
FCN Recruitment Letter (PDF)
FCN Exploration and Implementation Packet (PDF)

Questions? Please e-mail Bethany at Bethany.Tollefson@centracare.com