FAITH COMMUNITIES
Educational Opportunities
Preparing faith community nurses and health ministers to serve their congregations and communities.
FOUNDATIONS COURSE
Equipping Nurses & Health Ministers for Faith-Based Service
The Health Ministries Network (HMN) Foundations Course prepares state-licensed RNs for faith community nurse (FCN) ministry and other caring individuals for health minister (HM) service in their respective congregation or faith community.
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The Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Curriculum consists of 36.5 hours of course work. The course is held online.
HMN is happy to offer full or partial scholarships to those in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan Counties, as well as other affiliated areas, who will be serving underserved populations.
For information or assistance, contact the Executive Director at director@healthministriesnetwork.net
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Supporting Continuing Education & Serving Community
Forging partnerships with both a faith or spiritual community and the larger community, this Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course is based on the curriculum developed by the Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing (updated in 2024), now part of the Spiritual Care Association.
Westberg Institute Curriculum
Course content developed through the Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing, now part of the Spiritual Care Association.
Whole Person Health
Integrating mind, body, and spirit into faith community health ministry and congregational care.
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Community Partnership
Building bridges between faith communities and health systems to deliver equitable, whole-person care.
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Preventive Care
Promoting preventive health practices, health equity, and spiritual well-being in congregational settings.
Referral & Resources
Connecting community members with appropriate health services, agencies, and support networks.
Mentorship
Former graduates are available to support and mentor new graduates as they establish their health ministry.
MORE WAYS TO CONNECT
Trained with HMN or Elsewhere?
If you have completed a Foundations Course elsewhere, please contact the Director at director@healthministriesnetwork.net.
They will complete administrative volunteer requirements with you, including a background check, and connect you with our mailing list, educational and volunteer opportunities, and our directory.
Find a Faith Community Nurse or Health Minister in Your Area
We have volunteers in over 40 faith communities and the geographical community in Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan Counties.
If you participate in a community of faith, check with them to see if they have a health ministry — you may have our volunteers in your midst! If you are uncertain, contact the HMN Director at director@healthministriesnetwork.net, and we will work to get you connected.
Former graduates of the Foundations Course are available to support and mentor new graduates as they establish their health ministry in their faith community or geographic community.
MEET THE TEAM
Foundations Course Instructors
Rebecca Cavanaugh
MN, RN
Rebecca has been a professional registered nurse for 39 years. She attended Everett Community College and the University of Washington earning both her BSN (1998) and MN in Advanced Practice Community Health Systems Nursing and a post-graduate Certificate in Nursing Education in 2009.
She began working as a school nurse in 1998 and in 2006 became a Nationally Certified School Nurse. She is published in the Journal of School Nursing (2021). She taught at Lake Washington Institute of Technology for four years, returning to school nursing in 2012 and retiring in 2020 from Northshore School District, where she was the Nursing Supervisor for the district.
In 2021, she began volunteering with Health Ministries Network, serving an underserved community with the Ask a Nurse program in East Whatcom County, Washington. In 2022, she completed the Foundations Course of Faith Community Nursing.
She continues to volunteer in the community and is the Faith Community Nurse for her church. Rebecca has served on the Health Ministries Network Advisory Board for 2 years and is currently the board chair.