Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Faith Community Nursing Program

What is the Faith Community Nursing Program?

The Faith Community Nursing Program, formerly known as Parish Nursing Program, partners with faith communities and serves as an advocate to set up Health Ministry teams, which will help promote a holistic approach to health and wellness. The program will focus on health as not just the absence of illness, but as a comprehensive approach dealing with the mind, body and spirit. In this collaborative effort, our mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ is strengthened.

The Faith Community Nursing Program will play a variety of roles including educator, counselor and advocate in our communities faith families. The program will be a source for preventative and restorative care ministering to the congregates. Faith community nurses will not play a role of direct medical care provider.

Our Faith Community Nursing Program will assist with:

• Combining Faith and Health, many times the Faith Community Nursing Program can reinforce the strong tie between faith and health fulfilling the tie between mind, body & spirit. 
• Health Educator, providing educational programs to the congregation such as health screenings and illness prevention. 
• Health Counselor, providing individual health counseling services. 
• Nurse Advocate, assisting congregational members in finding their way through healthcare systems. Also making referrals to support a better quality of life. 
• Referral to Support Groups, designed to assist individuals with a specific issue. 
• Trainer of Volunteers, perhaps most importantly, recruiting and training volunteers to provide assistance to ensure the success of the Faith Community Nursing Program. 

Because of the Faith Community Nursing Program diversity, it allows for each congregation to have the program tailored around their congregate needs. The Health Ministry team serves its congregation based on the focus determined by the pastoral team and by the input of the faith community.

This program is another step toward partnering with our community as a solid support resource. For additional information see our brochure or call (813) 779-6301, and ask for Kathy Welch.