Deck 32: Faith Community Health

Question 1

Speak with a minister, priest, rabbi, or church leader in the community from a faith belief system different from your own. Explore the philosophical basis for the church's role in health and healing.

Answer 1

NO ANSWER

Question 2

Describe the philosophy and historical basis of faith community nursing.

Answer 2

The type of nursing in which the medical healthcare is combined with spiritual care is called faith community nursing. Parish nurses are responsible for taking care of the health problems of individuals and families living in a community. The nurses focus on practicing spiritual faith along with nursing care.
This nursing community has formed the association with American nursing association (ANA) in 2005. The faith community nursing can also collaborate with the Healthy People 2020 program to provide high-quality health care to all the individuals.
The founder of faith community nursing is Reverend Granger Westberg. He has worked with the nurses, ministers and many hospitals. He has a vision to improve the healthcare process by incorporation of spiritual practices along with medical treatment. The belief of the faith community depends not only on wellness of health but it also includes wholeness of body and spirit.

Question 3

Visit websites devoted to faith community nursing and identify the models of faith community nursing programs or read the descriptions of their practice. Share these with the clinical group.

Answer 3

NO ANSWER

Question 4

Define the roles, functions, and education of the faith community nurse.

Question 5

Discuss faith communities as clients of the community health nurse.

Question 6

Describe the role of the faith community nurse in the spiritual health and wellness of faith communities.

Question 7

Discuss contemporary issues in faith community nursing, such as working with vulnerable populations and facing ethical and legal issues.

Question 8

Apply the nursing process to a case study related to a faith community practice.

Question 9

Applied ethics refers to the utilization of ethical principles in reallife situations. The values and beliefs of faith communities raise additional ethical considerations for the parish nurse. Actions of the parish nurse may result in a conflict between established nursing interventions and beliefs of the faith community. The IPNRC (2009) identifies these potential areas of ethical conflict:
• Infertility treatment
• Organ donations
• Blood transfusions
• Proper dress or behavior
• Withdrawal of and withholding nutrition
• DNR (do not resuscitate) orders
• Pro-life versus pro-choice
• Use of advance directives
• Distribution of scarce resources
• Competency for decision making
• Clergy sexual conduct
The FCN's roles include understanding the scope of practice for parish nurses related to ethical practice and the values and beliefs of the community served. The nurse must understand his or her own beliefs and values that are in conflict with the faith community's beliefs. It is necessary that the parish nurse know when to seek help, when to refer, and when to remove himself or herself from the ethical decision-making process (O'Brien, 2003).

Question 10

Speak with an FCN in the community. Ask the nurse about congregational health needs and discuss how the roles of the faith community nurse are implemented through the faith community nursing programs and ministry. Observe the nurse in his or her daily activities and identify how spirituality is a basis for congregational nursing care.

Question 11

Understand the potential role of faith communities in improving the health of Americans.