Pennsylvania Nurse, Front Page 2017 Issue 3 | Page 18

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celebrated 25 successful years
as an ARC blood donor site.
Tracking: The number of
publications removed from
public areas is noted (i.e.,
materials on cancer facts for
women or men, domestic
violence, etc.). This assists the
pastor and ministry team in
identifying needs based on the
topics of the removed publi-
cations.
Certifi cations: A compre-
hensive list of CPR-certifi ed
individuals is posted in the
fi rst aid closet.
Exercise: In 2016, a Walk to
Bethlehem program, which
is a church-wide exercise pro-
gram to encourage members
to increase activity, was cre-
ated. Members turned walk-
ing and other activities into
meaningful and purposeful
events. The program goal was
to walk the “journey” from
the church to Bethlehem in
the Holy Land (5,787 miles)
by Christmas. Individuals re-
corded their steps each month
and submitted their results
to the nurses. Monthly totals
were posted to show the prog-
ress toward the goal. Twenty-
nine individuals walked 6,869
miles within the established
time frame.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: The
Knit Wits group meets twice
a month. In FY 2016, 199
items were knitted or cro-
cheted. Seventy-fi ve hats,
scarfs, and mittens were dis-
tributed at the church’s com-
munity Christmas brunch.
Issue 3 2017 Pennsylvania Nurse 16
Conclusion
Faith communities are an impor-
tant setting for health promotion
and population health activities.
Spirituality is one component
of wellness and the support of
the clergy for a health ministry
program is essential. Each faith
community is different; each
congregational care ministry is
multifaceted and unique. It is im-
portant to remember that there is
no single best approach. Outreach
includes (but is not limited to)
making and delivering meals on a
short- or long-term basis, provid-
ing comfort by visiting someone
who is ill, sharing the end of life
experience with a family, encour-
aging patients and families to ask
questions of doctors and clergy,
and praying with individuals. The
important outcome is for mem-
bers and friends to know that
someone cares and shows compas-
sion.
Health is related to all aspects
of life, including adequate hous-
ing, nutrition, spiritual values,
healthy attitudes, a purpose for
living, and love of neighbors.
With understanding of the
population they serve, FCNs can
have enormous impacts on health
promotion. There are endless op-
portunities to support population
health in a faith community.
Acknowledgment
Thank you to CCM Coleader
Beverly Troop, RN, other nurses,
pastor, professionals, and mem-
bers of HBC who participate in
the successful program.
References
American Nurses Association (ANA). (2017).
Faith community nursing: Scope and standards
of practice (3rd edition). Silver Spring, MD:
nursesbooks.org.
Kindig, D. (2015, April 6). What are we talking
about when we talk about population health?
[Blog entry]. Health Affairs Blog. Retrieved
from https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/
hblog20150406.046151/full/
Kindig, D., & Stoddart, G. (2003). What is
population health? American Journal of Public
Health, 93(3), 380-383.
Westberg, G. E. (1991). The parish nurse: Pro-
viding a minister of health for your congregation.
Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Books.
Marilyn Harris is the author
of the Handbook of Home
Health Care Administration.
Marilyn retired in 1999 as ex-
ecutive director of Abington
Memorial Hospital’s Home
Care and Hospice. She is a
lifetime member of PSNA and
an honorary trustee member
of the Nursing Foundation
of Pennsylvania (NFP). As a
staunch supporter of pro-
fessional development, she
believes in opportunities for
nursing staff to grow profes-
sionally and develop leader-
ship roles.