The Spiritual Care Association (SCA), working with the Westberg Institute, has introduced a professional credential called Certified Spiritual Care Nurse (CSCN). The 2026 CSCN Eligibility Handbook explains what registered nurses need to qualify for this certification.
The credential recognizes nurses who have additional education and skills in providing spiritual care as part of their nursing practice. This includes listening to patients, recognizing spiritual needs and concerns, completing spiritual assessments, planning appropriate care, providing support, and knowing when to make a referral to another professional.
There are two steps to earning this credential. First, nurses must complete the approved Certificate in Spiritual Care Nursing program through the Westberg Institute and pass its competency exam. Then, they must meet the Spiritual Care Association's additional requirements and complete the certification application. Completing the Westberg course does not automatically make someone a Certified Spiritual Care Nurse.
How is this different from Faith Community Nursing?
Although Spiritual Care Nursing and Faith Community Nursing share a commitment to whole-person care, they are two different specialties.
Faith Community Nurses primarily work within faith communities. Their work includes health education, health promotion, disease prevention, advocacy, connecting people with resources, and providing spiritual support.
Spiritual Care Nurses incorporate spiritual assessment and care into their nursing practice in a variety of healthcare settings. Their work includes identifying spiritual concerns, developing a plan of care, providing appropriate interventions, and documenting and evaluating the care provided.
The handbook recognizes that faith community settings can also be places where Spiritual Care Nurses practice. However, the two specialties have different educational and professional pathways.
What does this mean for Faith Community Nurses?
The development of this credential is a good reminder of the important role Faith Community Nurses already play in addressing spiritual needs as part of whole-person care. While Spiritual Care Nursing and Faith Community Nursing are distinct specialties, they share common ground in recognizing that health involves more than the physical.
Faith Community Nurses bring something unique to this work. They build ongoing relationships within faith communities, recognize health and spiritual needs, provide education and support, advocate for individuals and families, and connect people with resources. Their work often allows them to identify concerns and offer support long before someone enters a healthcare setting.
As spiritual care nursing gains greater professional recognition, it is important for FCNs to understand and confidently communicate their own role and scope of practice. This is also an opportunity to build stronger relationships with Spiritual Care Nurses, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals.
The takeaway: Faith Community Nursing is an important and distinct nursing specialty. Its contribution to whole-person health deserves recognition, understanding, and a strong voice in the broader conversation about spiritual care.
Learn more: 2026 Certified Spiritual Care Nurse Eligibility Handbook