A Partnership
The church has always been a sign of hope and healing, the place people turn to in time of need. To assist churches in keeping people well, the hospitals of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) offer the Faith Community Nursing Partnership.
Faith Community Liaisons from St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, St. Joseph Mercy Livingston and St. Joseph Mercy Saline are resources to any local congregation in the SJMHS service area. The nurse will introduce our program, provide orientation and education, and help the church family develop a sustainable health ministry.
Who is a Faith Community Nurse?
Faith Community Nurses are church members who are registered nurses and volunteer to serve as the coordinator for the health care team. Many churches choose to use a team approach where several members of the congregation work together to address health needs.
Areas of Ministry
One to One Health Counselor
The Faith Community Nurse is an integral part of your congregation. People may be more willing to share concerns and discuss their personal health problems with a trusted nurse they know.
Teacher
Health education can take many forms. There may be CPR training, lectures on health issues offered in the familiar environment of your own organization and programs to address specific community concerns.
Integrator of Faith and Health
In all activities and contacts, Faith Community Nursing seeks to promote the understanding of the relationship between faith and health.
Organizer of Volunteers
By using the natural network of people in the church, the nurse can expand the ministry using volunteers from the congregation.
Community Link
The nurse can help link parishioners with Saint Joseph Mercy Health System services and other community services. The nurse is a resource who can provide information.
Partnership Services Provided
As a partner with SJMHS, faith communities are eligible for the following:
- FCN preparation program
- Liability insurance resource
- Networking opportunities
- Continuing education offerings
- Referral information
- Program development support
- Health screening equipment and supplies
- FREE CPR instructor course (valued at $300)
Services the FCN does not provide
The Faith Community Nurse does not give "invasive" nursing care. This means that the nurse does not draw blood, or give injections or other procedures that nurses perform in hospital settings. It is not the purpose of the FCN/health ministry to replace existing community or congregational services. Our ministry seeks to enhance access and usage of existing services and develop means of providing non-existing services.
Partner With Faith Community Nursing
If you or your church is interested in joining the Faith Community Nursing program contact:
Kitty Kalanik
517-545-5102
kalanikc@trinity-health.org
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