What is a Health Minister?
A health minister (HM), also known as a congregational health promoter (CHP), does all the things that a faith community nurse is (FCN) but does not have an active nursing license. HMs, like FCNs, work in collaboration with pastoral staff and other HMs/FCNs to serve the health needs of clients in their congregation and community.
What is a Faith Community Nurse?
A faith community nurse (FCN), also know as a parish nurse (PN), is a
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Health educator promoting wellness;
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Health counselor advocating personal responsibility;
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Teacher and coordinator of volunteers;
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Referral agent and liaison with community resources;
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Integrator of faith and health;
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Developer of support groups; and
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Health advocate.
Faith Community nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that focuses on the intentional care of the spirit as well as on the promotion of holistic health and prevention or minimization of illness within the context of a faith community and the wider community. The goals of FCN are as follows:
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Protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities;
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Prevention of illness and injury;
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Facilitation of healing;
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Alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human responses; and
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Advocacy in the context of the values, beliefs, and practices of a faith community, such as a church, congregation, parish, synagogue, temple, mosque, or faith-based community agency.
From: American Nurses Association's Faith Community Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd Edition.
Steps to becoming a FCN or HM
Learn more
Call us at (360) 788-6408 or email us at director@healthministriesnetwork.net with any questions you may have. Join us at a monthly meeting and meet and talk with active FCNs and HMs. You can check our calendar for upcoming events.
Talk about it
Talk to others in your faith community about your interest, especially other FCNs or HMs and your church leadership. Start now by sharing!
Apply
Apply for the annual Foundations Course which will prepare you to plan, coach you as you begin, and offer you resources as you continue, to build a health ministry. Applications open January 2021.