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GoogleThese seven functions include the integration of faith and health, health education, personal health counseling, acting as a referral agent, training of volunteers, developing support groups and advocating for health.
This nursing role does not embrace the medical model of care or invasive practices such as drawing blood, maintenance of intravenous products, administration of flu shots or medications. It is a professional model of health ministry using a registered professional nurse. The focus of the practice is the faith community nurse being a regular member of the ministerial staff.
At First United Methodist, the program could take several forms based on the health needs of the congregation.
Suzanne Strathman, a member of First United Methodist and a nurse practitioner, explained the origins of the program and what it was designed to accomplish.
"Parish nursing is the name they used for faith community nursing years ago, but it has changed recently to include other faiths as well. This was started in the 1980s by a Lutheran minister in Illinois and has spread in the last 20 years," Strathman explained.
Faith community nursing is not a replacement for primary or specialty care by a physician or mid-level provider nor does it duplicate services within the community. A faith community nursing program formalizes the role nurses already have within the congregation.
"We're not going to replace any existing service in the community, but we'll be referral agents for people to access health care. It (FCN) formalizes our belief in the faith community."
Strathman went on to say that some congregations highlight each month's disease/wellness focus established by leading health organizations such as Alzheimer's Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Month of the Young Child and Breastfeeding Awareness Month by having special educational opportunities including posters, printed literature in bulletins and newsletters and presentations.
"We hope to focus on month-long campaigns that different health organizations have to bring awareness," Strathman said. "Three times a week someone from my church contacts me about a health-related issue. People are already utilizing this. I help people form questions for their respective health care providers and I strengthen the relationship between health care provider and patient."
Informational gatherings discussing topics such as the new Medicare prescription drug program, advance directives and living wills and sexuality education have been presented in some churches and Strathman said First United Methodist will hold similar programs.
"Starting in January, we're going to have blood pressure screenings and assessments of the faith community on what our needs are in regard to education and referral," she said. "We'll have a seminar on end-of-life decisions and dealing with grief. We'll assess the congregation and identify the needs using the nursing process. This assessment will also include building and grounds safety and health safety such as defibrillator needs, elevator sizes to accommodate various conveyances (stretchers and coffins), kitchen health practices and nursery health practices."
Strathman also wanted to notify area residents of an informative seminar that will beheld early in November.
"There will be a Medicare Part D seminar on [Monday] Nov. 7 at First United Methodist Church Marshall that will begin at 9:30 a.m.," she said. "If you're interested, please call (660) 886-9697 to register before Nov. 4."
Strathman had one final tidbit of information she wanted to share.
"The definition of health is a balance of body, mind and spirit, so you can't have a healthy body with a broken spirit," she said.
Contact Eric Coley at