The Institutions that Shape our Practice
Understanding the Organizational Support for FCN Practice
Faith Community Nurses (FCNs) work within a unique specialty that blends professional nursing with spiritual care and community outreach. Several national organizations help shape, support, and strengthen this role, each contributing in distinct and important ways.
Because the field is supported by multiple institutions with overlapping missions, it can be helpful for FCNs to understand how these organizations relate to one another and to the practice itself. This clarity helps nurses stay connected, supported, and aligned with national standards as they serve in faith-based settings.
American Nurses Association (ANA)
ANA co-develops and publishes the official Scope and Standards of Practice for Faith Community Nursing. This recognition provides national legitimacy, aligning FCN with other specialties like pediatrics, oncology, or public health nursing.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) plays a foundational role in Faith Community Nursing by officially recognizing it as a nursing specialty and co-publishing the Scope and Standards of Practice for Faith Community Nursing. These standards provide a professional framework that guides FCNs in delivering ethical, evidence-based, and spiritually integrated care. Through its endorsement, the ANA affirms the value of faith-based nursing as a legitimate and vital part of professional nursing practice.
Connect with the ANA
Visit the ANA website: Explore resources, ethics guidance, and specialty practice standards at www.nursingworld.org.
Purchase the FCN Scope & Standards: Available through the ANA bookstore.
Join ANA & the Indiana State Nurses Association (ISNA): When you join ANA, you’re also connected to your state chapter, ISNA, where you can access local advocacy, events, and support.
Faith Community Nurses International (FCNI)
Faith Community Nurse International (FCNI) is widely recognized as the research arm of faith community nursing, supporting studies and evidence-based development in the specialty.
The Faith Community Nurses International is a nurse-led group that supports and grows faith community nursing worldwide. They offer education, research, and connection opportunities to help nurses blend spiritual care with nursing. FCNI brings nurses together across different faiths to share knowledge and promote faith community nursing as a recognized specialty.
Connect with FCNI
Visit the FCNI website: Faith Community Nurses International to access resources and view public research summaries.
Become a member for full access to the journal, education, events, and networking.
Health Ministries Association (HMA)
The HMA co-develops the official Scope and Standards of Practice for Faith Community Nursing and serve as an Organizational Affiliate of the ANA, representing the interests of the specialty practice of faith community nursing.
The Health Ministries Association (HMA) is a national organization that supports the integration of faith and health through advocacy, education, and professional development. HMA collaborates with the ANA and other partners in shaping the Scope and Standards of Practice for Faith Community Nursing, and it provides a platform for networking, continuing education, and interdisciplinary dialogue among nurses, clergy, and health ministry leaders.
Connect with HMA
Visit the HMA website at www.hmassoc.org to learn about upcoming events, membership options, and educational resources.
Join HMA to receive access to newsletters, continuing education, networking opportunities, and advocacy updates.
Explore the Faith Community Nursing page for information on the Scope and Standards, health ministry tools, and ways to stay engaged with the national FCN community.
Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing
Develops and maintains the Faith Community Nurse Foundations Course curriculum and creates evidence-based position statements that guide education, ethical practice, and professional standards in the specialty.
The Westberg Institute, part of the Spiritual Care Association (SCA), continues the legacy of Rev. Dr. Granger Westberg, a pioneer in wholistic healthcare—care that integrates body, mind, and spirit.
As a leader in Faith Community Nursing, the Institute:
Develops, maintains, and updates the core curriculum for Faith Community Nurse (FCN) preparation programs, nationally and internationally. Through Curriculum Licensing Agreements with the Spiritual Care Association, qualified partners are authorized to teach the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing curriculum for a licensing fee.
Conducts research and develops evidence-based Position Statements to address common practice questions and support FCN best practices. Manuscripts are submitted to peer-reviewed journals to advance the body of knowledge in Faith Community Nursing.
Facilitates the annual Westberg Symposium, promoting networking, continuing education, and best practices in Faith Community Nursing.
Fosters global collaboration and professional connection among FCNs through the World Forum.
Facilitates committees and collaborative workgroups that support FCN educators, coordinators, independent FCNs, communications, research initiatives, Position Statement development, World Forum engagement, and certification efforts.
Offers a variety of FCN educational courses that provide continuing nursing education (CNE) and academic course credit opportunities.
Connect with Westberg
Visit the Westberg website at www.westberginstitute.org to explore educational resources and webinars.
Access the Position Statements, which provide clear, research-based guidance on key issues in faith community nursing practice. These statements are regularly updated and freely available to help FCNs deliver ethical, competent, and spiritually integrated care.
Attend the Westberg Symposium, an annual event that brings together FCNs and health ministry leaders for learning, connection, and renewal.
Join the Faith Community Nursing Knowledge Sharing Platform, a free online community where FCNs can collaborate, share ideas, and find peer support.
More about the Spiritual Care Association (SCA), the organization behind the Westberg Institute
The Spiritual Care Association (SCA) is a national organization dedicated to supporting professionals who provide spiritual care in a variety of settings, including hospitals, hospices, and faith communities. While its primary focus is on chaplains and clergy, SCA also serves as the organizational home for the Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing.
Through this connection, SCA helps provide structure and support for the continuing work of Faith Community Nurses, while Westberg remains the main resource for education, networking, and tools specific to FCN practice.
Visit SCA’s website to learn more: www.spiritualcareassociation.org
Access SCA & Healthcare Chaplaincy Network’s Making Spiritual Care a Priority Education, Clinical & Research Programs publication.