 |
|
Education Committee |
The Education Committee is responsible for supporting FCNI by providing continuing nursing education to support faith community nurses to enhance the development and sustainability of faith community nursing practice.
FCNI Annual Virtual Conference – 2025 "Behavioral Health Across the Lifespan: Saturday, October 18 from 10 am to 3:00 pm (CDT)
Keynote: “Childhood Cancer: 50 years of Providing Trauma-Informed Care”Kathleen Ruccione, PhD, RN, MPH, CPON, FAAN, FAPHON, is Professor and PhD Program Director in the School of Nursing at Azusa Pacific University, CA Research Drives Practice: “Forging Communities of Belonging and Hope: An Approach to Support”Beth Hlabse MS, LMHCA, is director and counselor with the Fiat MH program at the University of Notre Dame, IN. Practice Drives Research: “Trauma-Informed Care: Strategies for FCNs”Liz Coleman, DNP, FNP, RN is Assistant Professor at Minnesota State University and a FNP at a MH clinic. Closing: “Hills, Hope, and Healing: Mental Health and Faith Community Nursing in Appalachia”Angel Smothers, DNP, APRN, is Associate Dean and Professor at West Virginia University and a FCN in the community.
Feedback from last year’s Second Annual FCNI Conference in Fall 2024:“The entire conference was excellent. All the speakers demonstrated expertise in their subjects and adhered to the time allotment.” and “Very interesting and informative...Looking forward to the next one.” Upon completion of activities at this conference, learners will be able to:
Early Bird rate extended until September 15: Members $120; Non-members $170Regular rate begins on September 16: Members $145; Non-members $195If you join at $50 per year before paying conference registration, you will realize a return on investment immediately— FCNI recognizes the McUlsky Health Force, sponsor of the Fall 2025 conference* |
|
2025 Recent WEBINArS
"Innovation in Health Screening and Meeting Community Needs”  
Presented by: Stephanie Young, Paula Staab Polk, Mary Lynne Knighten, and Eugenia Graves Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025 Four FCNs will share your experiences creating innovative screening, health education, health fairs, and free healthcare opportunities in diverse communities. Learning Outcomes:
"Exploring Interventions for Decreasing Hypertension: Education and Meditation" 
Presented by: Beverly McLawyer Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025 This presentation is designed to provide information on a hypertension education program and use of music and mindfulness meditation to assist with decreasing hypertension in faith communities. Learning Outcomes:
"The Labyrinth Journey: A Spiritual Tool for Faith Community Nurses" 
Presented by: Melissa Powers Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025 The labyrinth is an ancient path that has contemporary application. The labyrinth experience is often described as a moving meditation – an opportunity for reflection, contemplation, or a look within – bringing together mind, body, and spirit. In this webinar, we will begin with a brief overview of labyrinths and the research supporting their use in wellness settings and in spiritual practice. Next, we will explore ways that the labyrinth might support the work of Faith Community Nurses. This session will include a labyrinth experience. Learning Outcomes:
“Uncovering Patterns in Providing Spiritual Care: Lessons for FCNs" 
Presented by: Renee Kumpula Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025 Spiritual care is a necessary support when anyone is confronted with difficult diagnoses, chronic illness, or palliative and end-of-life care. This session will explore the factors and strategies that affect nurses’ effectiveness in providing spiritual care. Learning Outcomes:
“Supporting the Spiritual Development of Youth with Mental Health Challenges" 
Presented by: Michelle Solomon Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025 This session provides an overview of mental health and why it needs to be wholistic. Dr. Solomon will cover research findings on how youth diagnosed with bipolar disorder described their spirituality, how health professionals can promote wellbeing through spirituality-integrated interventions, and how FCNs can promote their own spiritual wellbeing. Learning Outcomes:
“Managing PTSD with 
Presented by: Merdijana Kovcevic Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025 This session will explore the nature of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its profound impact not only on individuals who experience it but also on the people who support them. Learning Outcomes:
"Abide with Me: Nature and Forest Therapy for Self-Care, Healing, and Spiritual Renewal" 
Presented by: Liz Diener Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025 Discover the healing power of nature through a virtual forest bathing experience designed specifically for faith community nurses. Learning Outcomes:
"Soul Care: Faith-Based Self Care Practices for Healthcare Professionals" 
Presented by: Samuel Girguis/Amy Girguis Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025 This session will explore the impact of stress, chronic stress, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress on healthcare providers. Participants will learn how to recognize signs of stress in their own lives and learn practical ways to mitigate stress and prevent burnout. Learning Outcomes:
|
Past Webinars And Virtual Annual Conferences DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU MISSED
|
2024 FCNI WEBINARS |
“Evidence-based Practice and the FCN Part I: Inspiring a Spirit of Inquiry to Solve Practice Problems”
Presented by: Mary Lynne Knighten Date: January 25, 2024 This is the first of two webinars designed to enable faith community nurses to use evidence-based practice (EBP) in their ministry. The focus will be on inspiring a sense of inquiry to identify practice and/or patient problems and addressing those problems with evidence to improve care. EBP competencies will be presented, along with skill development for the following: writing a searchable PICO question to drive the literature search for research that is ready for translation to practice (including patient/population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes). Learning Outcomes:
“LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Considerations for FCNs” 
Presented by: Andrea West Date: February 22, 2024 Current issues abound around the LGBTQ+ and the BIPOC populations. In the past, these groups have not been given the appropriate care and respect necessary to meet their physical, mental, and spiritual needs. Faith community nurses have a unique opportunity to be at the forefront for identifying and providing health care to these individuals—care that includes physical, mental as well as spiritual components. The agencies and congregations where FCNs practice are many times the first line of contact for these individuals needing assistance, understanding, and acceptance. Learning Outcomes:
“Evidence-based Practice, Part 2: Executing EBP Projects” 
Presented by: Mary Lynne Knighten Date: March 7, 2024 This is the second of two webinars designed to enable faith community nurses to use evidence-based practice (EBP) in their ministry. The focus will be on using evidence to design and implement EBP projects in the faith community to solve practice problems and improve health outcomes. Please come even if you did not attend the first presentation. Learning Outcomes:
|
“Social Determinants of Health for FCN Practice”
Presented by: Cassandra Alexander and Naomi Myers Date: Thursday, April 11, 2024 Nurses can benefit from understanding social justice when evaluating health disparities and inequities in their congregations and communities. Health disparities are driven by social and economic inequities and affect mortality, morbidity, life expectancy, health care expenditures, healthcare systems, and overall health status. Learning to assess and manage Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) is essential to address and oversee the health of a faith community. Learning Outcomes:
“Teen-Senior Connections: An Intergenerational Approach for Building Teen Resilience” 
Presented by: Marcia Davis Date: Thursday, May 2, 2024 Faith Community Nurses face challenges in creating relationships among the generations. In the literature, resilience has been identified as a protective factor against the alarming rate of teen suicide in the US. This presentation describes a study to build teen resilience by using an intergenerational approach within a faith community. Outcomes reveal potential benefit for both young and old including other options for exploring intergenerational activities among a congregation. Learning Outcomes:
“Jewish Traditions and Rituals: Death and Dying” 
Presented by: Sharon Goldfarb Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024 Participants will explore Jewish beliefs, the rich rituals and practices surrounding death within Jewish communities, ethical principles guiding end-of-life care, and insights for supporting Jewish individuals and families during times of bereavement. From the immediate post-death rituals to the enduring practices of mourning, FCNs will gain a nuanced understanding of Jewish perspectives on mortality and learn to navigate the terrain of death and grief within Jewish tradition. Learning Outcomes:
|
“In This for the Long Haul: Providing Care to Long COVID Patients” 
Presented by: Mary Martin
Date: Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024
Time: 6 pm to 7 pm Central Time on Zoom
Participants will review the definition of Long-COVID Syndrome, including the various forms and symptoms that have been documented in this illness. The presentation will also address the effects the illness has had on patients, their families, and the community, including physical, psychosocial/emotional, spiritual and financial impacts. Treatment options will also be discussed, including traditional and complimentary alternative therapies.
Learning Outcomes:
-
Identify five negative impacts that Long-COVID has had on patient health.
-
Develop three nursing interventions that can improve perceived quality of life in patients with Long-COVID.
“Growing Our Spirituality: Who Are We?”
Presented by: Rev. Dr. Esther Brown
Date: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024
Time: 6 pm to 7 pm Central Time on Zoom
This session will address the need to identify our spirituality through becoming more self aware. This will in turn help us, as FCN’s, assist our clients in faith communities.
Learning Outcomes:
-
Describe who they are as spiritual being.
-
Describe how awareness of their spiritual identity can be used to help others and develop nursing interventions to meet spiritual needs.
2023 FCNI Virtual Annual Conference
FCNI Annual Conference: Exploring Dimensions of Grief and Bereavement
- Ambiguous Loss: Unresolved Closure, Ambiguous Loss, and Irresolvable Grief by Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner
- Breakout Session 1: Pinwheel Model of Bereavement: A Process Model for Grief and Loss
- Breakout Session 2: Ministry of Accompaniment: A Compassionate Journey of Community
- Panel Session: Grief and Loss among Diverse Faith Traditions
2023 Webinars
- Food Insecurity in Health Care Settings: Screening and Policy Recommendations by Amanda Thurber
Download PDF
- Nurses Leading Non-Profit Organizations in the 21st Century by Mary Lynne Knighten
Download PDF
- FrontoTemporal Dementia (FTD): The Most Common Cause of Alzheimer’s before Age 60 by Yvette Dulohery
Download PDF
- Gray Matters: Understanding Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults by Kay King
Download PDF
- Spiritual Practice and Self-care for FCNs by Esther Brown
Download PDF
Visit us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/FaithCommunityNursesInternational/
Please contact us with any website recommendations or corrections at: contact@fcninternational.org
©FCNI