FOUNDATIONS COURSE
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.
The next course will be offered this Spring 2025 through Health Ministries Network in three online Zoom sessions (one per month) and weekly work in online. Students will be supported in accessing and working in these systems.
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HMN is happy to offer a full or partial scholarship to those within Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan Counties and other affiliated areas for those who will be serving underserved populations. ​
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For information or assistance contact the Executive Director at director@healthministriesnetwork.net
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Trained with HMN or elsewhere?
If you have completed a Foundations Course elsewhere, please contact the Director at director@healthministriesnetwork.net, and 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.
Interested in connecting with 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 do not participate in a faith community or are uncertain if there is a Faith Community Nurse or Health Minister in your area, please contact the HMN Director at director@healthministriesnetwork.net. We will work to get you connected as well as follow up with faith communities who wish to set up their own health ministry.
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Supporting Continuing Education and Serving Community
Forging a partnership with both a faith or spiritual community and with the larger community, this Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course is based on the curriculum developed through the Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing, now a part of the Spiritual Care Association.
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.
Foundation Course Instructors
Bill Lonneman, DNP, RN
Bill Lonneman is an assistant professor and interim director of the RN-to-BSN program at Western Washington University. He became a nurse in 1982 and has worked in hospice, neighborhood health centers, and primary care as a family nurse practitioner. He received his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Madonna University and also holds a Master's degree in Theology from Xavier University in Cincinnati. He currently serves as chaplain for Francis Place, a ministry of Catholic Community Services that provides program-supported permanent housing in Bellingham for people who were chronically homeless.
Carol Nicolay, Ed.D
Carol Nicolay is a retired registered nurse who is active as a Health Minister at the First Congregational Church of Bellingham and as a Westberg Institute instructor. Previously she held positions as Director for Professional Studies (WWU), Assistant Director for Academic Programs (UW),and Manager of Continuing Education (SPIE).She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Northern Arizona University and holds a graduate degree from University of Phoenix and under-graduate degree in Adult Education from Grand Canyon University (Phoenix).