Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Curriculum

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)

Funding Opportunities

• Faith Community Nurse Partnership of Central Minnesota. View application and find out more details.
• The Catholic Education Ministries Grant for Catholic RNs in the Diocese of Saint Cloud. Application deadlines are Jan. 15, May 15 and Aug. 15. Please submit the completed grant application to: David Fremo, Director, Catholic Education Ministries, Diocese of St. Cloud, 305 7th Ave. N, St. Cloud, MN 56303, 320-251-0111. Learn more information about the Catholic Education Ministries Scholarship.
• The Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association, Region 3 Grant Application (MN, SD, ND). Grant to be used for the development of a parish/faith community nurse program in a faith community. Contact FCN Coordinator, Becky Hulden, bhulden@lyngblomsten.org 651-632-5335
• Elim Care Faith Community Nursing offers up to $1,000 in matching funds to North Central District EFCA churches to assist in starting a Faith Community Nurse Ministry. Contact Mary Martin, Director of Faith Community Nursing, Mary.Martin@elimcare.org, 952.259.4461
• Minnesota United Methodist Parish Nurses Association. Contact President, Marion Hansen, marionha@wcta.net, 218-837-5054
• The St. Cloud School of Nursing Alumni Association. Contact Elaine Prom, 320-253-7363. See School of Nursing Alumni Scholarship details.