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Faith Community Nursing Foundations

This course focuses on Faith Community Nursing as a distinct specialty practice within nursing. It explores foundational principles that prepare registered nurses for entry into this role, with an emphasis on professional role development, spiritual formation, critical reasoning, and vocational calling. Learners are equipped to practice within a Christian congregational context through content on healing and whole-person health, starting and sustaining a health ministry, ethical and legal considerations, and effective advocacy aligned with the values, beliefs, and needs of the congregation and the populations it serves.

This course uses the 2024 Foundations of Faith Community Nursing curriculum, developed by the Westberg Institute and owned by the Spiritual Care Association (New York, NY). The Spiritual Care Association Nursing Division is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (Provider #P0623). This course is approved by ANCC for 40 CEUs.

About this Course Certificate Who is this for? Duration

Foundations of Faith Community Nursing prepares participants with the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality, spiritually grounded care as Faith Community Nurses (FCNs). The course explores the history and philosophy of faith community nursing, whole-person health, spiritual care, health promotion, and the legal and ethical foundations of practice.

Learners engage in discussions, case studies, and reflective activities that deepen understanding of the FCN role in promoting health and wellness within faith communities. Emphasis is placed on documentation, advocacy, and collaboration with clergy and community partners to develop and sustain effective health ministries.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to integrate faith into nursing practice, advocate for vulnerable populations, and deliver compassionate, holistic care that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals and their families.

Upon successful completion of the course and passing the comprehensive exam, you will receive your CEU completion certificate in digital PDF format via email. In addition, an enamel pin and a wall certificate will be mailed to you separately. Please allow 2–3 weeks for processing and delivery of the enamel pin and wall certificate.

Foundations of Faith Community Nursing is designed primarily for registered nurses who hold a current, unrestricted license in their state of practice. It is also well-suited for nursing students and others who are exploring faith community nursing as a specialty practice.

This course is ideal for:

Registered Nurses (RNs): Nurses who want to expand their practice into faith community nursing and strengthen their ability to provide holistic care that integrates spiritual, physical, and emotional health.

Advanced Practice Nurses: Nurses with graduate preparation who wish to deepen their understanding of how faith informs health promotion, community wellness, and whole-person care.

Nursing Students: Students enrolled in baccalaureate or nursing education programs who are interested in the intersection of faith and health, and the role nurses can play within faith-based communities.

Non-RN Participants: With instructor approval, individuals who have a strong interest in faith community nursing may enroll. Non-RN participants are welcome to complete the course, but are not eligible to receive the stained-glass pin or course completion certificate.

Overall, this course is intended for those who feel called to integrate faith and health and who desire to make a meaningful, community-centered impact through nursing practice.

Foundations of Faith Community Nursing is designed primarily for registered nurses who hold a current, unrestricted license in their state of practice. It is also well-suited for nursing students and others who are exploring faith community nursing as a specialty practice.

This course is ideal for:

Registered Nurses (RNs): Nurses who want to expand their practice into faith community nursing and strengthen their ability to provide holistic care that integrates spiritual, physical, and emotional health.

Advanced Practice Nurses: Nurses with graduate preparation who wish to deepen their understanding of how faith informs health promotion, community wellness, and whole-person care.

Nursing Students: Students enrolled in baccalaureate or nursing education programs who are interested in the intersection of faith and health, and the role nurses can play within faith-based communities.

Non-RN Participants: With instructor approval, individuals who have a strong interest in faith community nursing may enroll. Non-RN participants are welcome to complete the course, but are not eligible to receive the stained-glass pin or course completion certificate.

Overall, this course is intended for those who feel called to integrate faith and health and who desire to make a meaningful, community-centered impact through nursing practice.

This course includes 40 hours of online instruction paired with guided journal activities to help you reflect on and apply what you learn. You will have 12 months of access, allowing you to move through the content at your own pace. The course is organized into 10 modules, each comprising four lessons, and concludes with a comprehensive exam to assess mastery of the material. Throughout the course, you will also have access to Ask Granger, an interactive chatbot that can quiz you on key concepts, help you prepare for the exam, and provide clarification whenever you need it.

FAQs

Q: What is Faith Community Nursing?
A: Faith Community Nursing is a specialty practice that integrates professional nursing, spiritual care, and health promotion within faith-based settings. Faith Community Nurses focus on whole-person health, addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs, while working in partnership with congregations and community resources.

Q: Do I need prior experience in faith-based or parish nursing?
A: No prior experience is required. This course is designed for nurses new to Faith Community Nursing, as well as those seeking a strong foundation in the specialty.

Q: Who developed the course curriculum?
A: The course uses the 2024 Foundations of Faith Community Nursing curriculum developed by the Westberg Institute and owned by the Spiritual Care Association (New York, NY). It has been expanded and thoughtfully tailored for Christian nurses and congregational settings by Susan K. Fuentes, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, FCN of Colorado Christian University.

Q: Can only Christian nurses take this course?
A: No. While the course is grounded in a Christian worldview and is designed to prepare nurses to serve within Christian congregational settings, nurses of all faith backgrounds are welcome to enroll. Participants are expected to engage respectfully with the course content and learning activities, but personal faith affiliation is not a requirement. The focus is on providing compassionate, holistic care that honors the values and beliefs of the faith communities being served.

Q: Is this course accredited for continuing education?
A: Yes. This course is approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for 40 continuing education units (CEUs). The Spiritual Care Association Nursing Division is an accredited provider of nursing continuing professional development (Provider #P0623). Your CEU certificate will be emailed to you upon successful completion of the course.

Q: Will this course prepare me to start a health ministry?
A: Yes. The course offers practical guidance on establishing and maintaining a health ministry, including collaboration with clergy, addressing ethical and legal considerations, advocacy, and aligning with the values and needs of the congregation and community.

Q: How is the course structured?
A: The course is delivered online and includes instructional content, reflective journal activities, and applied learning experiences designed to support integration of faith and nursing practice.

Q: How difficult is the final exam?
A: The comprehensive exam covers content from the entire course. A score of 80% or higher is required to pass. Learners who actively engage with the material, by taking notes, completing the journal activities, and thoughtfully working through the lessons, typically do very well on the exam.

Q: What if I do not pass the exam on the first attempt?
A: If you do not pass, you may request a retake. Please allow up to 72 hours for the retake to be processed.

Q: What if I do not complete the course within the 12-month access period?
A: If you are unable to finish the course within 12 months, you may repurchase access. This allows you to continue where you left off and retain your progress in the course.

Q: What if I have questions prior to or during the course?
A: You are not on your own. If you have questions before or during the course, you may reach out to the course instructor via email for support. In addition, you will have access to Ask Granger, the interactive chatbot available throughout the course to help clarify content, review key concepts, and support your learning at any time.

Price: $400.00
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