Nursing Commons^™

My Ministry As A Therapy Dog: Bringing Joy And Healing, Linda F. Garner

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

This article describes the journey of a small dog as she is trained to be a therapy dog. Requirements for training and regulations to be a therapy dog are discussed. After training, the dog describes her therapy skills in a variety of settings that enriches the lives of patients and families in hospice settings and rehabilitation. Research on animal assisted therapy is included.

Community Health Nursing And The Spiritual Domain: Clinical Rotations In Faith-Based Residential Communities For Prelicensure Nursing Students, Paulette D. Slowinski, Amy Sweeney

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Contextualized spiritual education in undergraduate nursing programs is often limited. Community-based clinical rotations present an opportunity to introduce nursing students to professional practice in faith-based communities. Junior and senior undergraduate nursing students from a state university worked with the wellness nurses at a residential community for older adults funded by the county Catholic diocese. In this unique environment, students participated in nursing care focusing on health promotion and disease prevention and management. This learning opportunity allowed students to have meaningful interactions with residents while gaining insight into faith-based nursing practice and the value of spiritually focused care for vulnerable populations.

Faith Community Nursing: Home Care Delivery Model, Deborah J. Ziebarth

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Faith community nurses (FCNs) perform home visits as part of their scope of practice. The FCN does home visits based solely on the assessed needs of patients, regardless of insurance or prescriber orders. A historical review describes the practice gap leading to the development of the Faith Community Nursing: Home Care Delivery Model provided in the booklet: Visitation Guidelines for Faith Community Nurses. Through a review of literature, alignment, and diagram, key components are defined. A wholistic screening exemplary (Congestive Heart Failure) is shared. The model’s key components are screening/assessment for specific disease risk (pre-diagnosed and diagnosed), education (patient and …

Evaluating The Effect Of A Rest Team Tea Cart On Nurse-Reported Comfort, Healing, And Empathy, Danielle A. Lisiecki Edd, Msn, Rn, Barbara A. Kilbride Ms, Bsn, Rn

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Abstract

In response to the increasing emotional and physical demands placed on healthcare professionals, a not-for-profit health system in Southwest Florida implemented a wellness initiative, focusing on the intentional care of the spirit through its Spiritual Services, Resilience Education Support Team (REST), and its area Faith Community Nurses (FCN), called the REST Tea Cart service. Initially, the REST Tea Cart was designed to promote emotional well-being by providing staff members with complimentary tea, cookies, and inspirational note cards, aiming to create moments of peace and respite during the workday. It would grow much more, expanding beyond the hospital’s walls and …

Conservative Anabaptists Descriptions Of Delay, Comfort In Connectedness, And Ease In Cultural Tension When Seeking And Responding To Healthcare, Matthew D. Hottle

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Introduction: Conservative Anabaptists are a large ethnic religious population that continues to grow in the United States. These groups are known to experience adverse health-related outcomes. Therefore, the concept of transcending health values has been developed to better understand how conservative anabaptists describe seeking and responding to healthcare. The purpose of this study is to (1) gather empirical evidence about the concept of transcending health values and (2) use the evidence to contribute to the body of knowledge of nursing.

Method: The study used qualitative-directed content analysis guided by the core qualities of transcending health values: delay in health-seeking behaviors, …

Practice Matters: Measles, Maria E. Main, Melissa K. Travelsted, Maire M. Blankenship

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Measles has re-emerged as a significant public health concern, with an estimated 10.3 million global cases and more than 100,000 deaths in 2023, primarily among young children. In the United States, measles incidence has risen sharply due to declining vaccination rates and increased international travel, resulting in a growing number of locally transmitted outbreaks. Faith community nurses, who play key roles in health education, advocacy, and illness prevention, are uniquely positioned to support community-level efforts that reduce measles transmission. This article addresses key aspects of measles epidemiology, clinical presentation, and complications, emphasizing the virus’s high communicability and potential for severe …

Membership Information

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

No abstract provided.

Bibliography, Mary P. Bennett

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Bibliography of publications by Mary Bennett.

Where Do Gorillas Get Their Protein? Plant-Based Diet For A Healthier Lifestyle, Cheryl Track

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

After watching what they thought to be an interesting and educational documentary on nutrition, my friends, Sharon and Scott, felt inspired to challenge themselves by undertaking some dietary changes apart from their regular eating habits. What started out as a short “trial run” to explore plant-based dieting, Sharon and Scott quickly realized this alternative eating style proved beneficial. In a short period of time, two individuals with their own fitness and wellness goals saw noticeable changes in lab results and experienced positive changes to their overall health – enough evidence leaving them convinced the “trial run” with plant-based dieting should …

Grief And Loss: Catholic Filipino Traditions, Edgar D. Montesa

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Catholic Filipino traditions regarding death, loss, and grief, consist of Christian, paganistic and animistic elements. The peculiar beliefs and practices reflect ethnic Filipinos' values and views of things. They help contemporary Filipinos cope with a loved one's death and with the challenges posed by a pandemic. They have certain implications for faith community nurses.

A Phone Coaching Intervention To Improve Blood Pressure And Hypertension Self-Management Practices In A Community-Based Setting: Pilot Study, Ann Moore, Pandora Goode, Elijah Onsomu, Dionne Roberts

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Hypertension is common in the African American (AA) community, and AAs have disproportionately lower rates of blood pressure control in comparison to other races. Because hypertension self-management practices are performed mostly by patients and family members, there is a critical need to acquire adequate hypertension self-management practices. Phone Coaching (PC) has been supported in the literature as an effective intervention to improve hypertension self-management practices. The purpose of this project was to pilot test a 12-week hypertension self-management program with a phone coaching component for AAs in a community-based setting to improve blood pressure measures and self-management practices. All participants …

Feasibility Of Virtual Lifestyle Physical Activity Program For South Asian Indian Immigrant Women: Dance And Spousal/Partner Dyad Meetings, Manju Daniel Dr., Susan Weber Buchholz Dr., Pamela Semanik Dr., Sachin Vispute

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Culturally relevant, physical activity (PA) interventions are important in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in South Asian Indian immigrant (SAI) women. This 12-week study aimed to determine the feasibility (recruitment, engagement, satisfaction, obtaining measures, retention) of implementing a virtual lifestyle PA program. The outcomes measured included steps/day; minutes of moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA/week) and cardiovascular health measures (aerobic fitness, blood pressure, body mass index, and waist circumference) in women. The intervention targets included benefits/barriers to PA, self-efficacy, social support, and couples’ satisfaction. We recruited six SAI spousal/partner dyads (women aged 40-65 years; < 7,500 average steps/day). The intervention included: (a) Fitbit for PA prescription and step goal setting for women; (b) Bollywood-style women-only weekly dance sessions via Zoom; and (c) dyad behavioral group meetings every two weeks via Zoom. Dance and group meeting attendance for women was 100%. The majority (83.3%) wore a Fitbit > 91.6% of days. Overall mean client satisfaction …

I’Ll Just Weight On The Lord: The Lived Experience Of Obesity, Spirituality, And Health Behaviors In African American Women, Andrea S. Poynter, Florence M. Weierbach

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Obesity is one of the fastest growing health concerns impacting all racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups in the United States of America. Obesity has gained nationwide attention due to its health-related disorders such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various cancer types that increase the annual medical cost on a financially stressed health system (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2022). Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in all races and genders within the US with African American women comprising a majority of those impacted by this chronic health condition (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Offices of …

Exploring The Barriers And Supports Of Faith Community Nurses Serving In Alaska: A Qualitative Study, Nathan T. West, Phd, Lauren M. Kiker, Ba, Beverly R. Bateman, Msn, Rn, Fcn, Krista Jones, Dnp, Msn, Rn, Phna-Bc, Faan

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Decades of research exist on the public health impact of faith community nurses (FCNs), particularly congregational health promotion and disease prevention. However, the literature exploring the barriers and supports FCNs experience when serving their communities is limited. Thus, guided by Ziebarth’s (2016) conceptual framework of faith community nursing, this study explored the lived experiences of FCNs (N = 8) delivering care to faith communities in Alaska. Thematic analyses of qualitative data revealed three major themes including 1) the descriptions, characteristics, and roles performed by FCNs (e.g., active listening, policy-level recommendations); 2) barriers and other factors impacting FCNs’ delivery of care …

Is Semaglutide The Key To The Fight Against "Globesity"?, Melissa Travelsted, Maire M. Blankenship

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

The obesity epidemic, referred to as "globesity" by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2001, remains a critical global health issue with escalating prevalence rates. In 2022, approximately 2.5 billion adults worldwide were overweight, with 890 million classified as obese, highlighting a significant health burden and economic impact. By 2030, projections suggest over one billion individuals globally will be affected by obesity. In the United States, where more than 40% of adults are obese, healthcare costs attributed to obesity-related illnesses exceed $173 billion annually.

Obesity is defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above and significantly increases …

Faith Community Nursing: Ministering To God's People In Ukraine Through Lamentation, Pam Dandre

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

None

Faith Community Nursing Case Study: Share Grant Procurement During The Covid-19 Epidemic, Deborah J. Ziebarth, Deborah Fell-Carlson, Marcy Shanks

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

A group of faith community nurses (FCNs) in rural Oregon joined together to form the Faith Community Health Network (FCHN). They applied for and received a grant to provide care coordination services to the residents of Lebanon and the greater Linn County. This case study is used to present the FCHN’s journey from coalition to a funded non-profit during the COVID-19 pandemic and the grant, “Rebuilding the Bridge Between Healthcare and Faith Communities” they received from the Intercommunity Health Network Coordinated Care Organization. The grant’s intent was to support the FCNs to expand their network, document electronically, and provide care …

The Effect Of The Covid Pandemic On Parish Nursing In The Uk, Helen Wordsworth

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

This article describes the impact that the Covid pandemic of 2020/2021 had on the work of UK Parish Nurses and the churches with which they worked. It explains how they adapted to the restrictions imposed by the government, changing the nature of the interventions they were able to make. It concludes that the resilience, flexibility, and creativity of the Parish nurses and of their national umbrella organisation, Parish Nursing Ministries UK, have enabled the emergence of a growing and vibrant ministry.

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Parish Nursing In Germany, Phyllis A. Solari-Twadell Phd, Mpa, Rn, Faan, Angela Glaser

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020/2021 had an impact globally on churches and the ministry of Parish Nurses. This article presents a brief historical overview of Germany, the uniqueness of the church in Germany, and parish nursing in Germany which is called vis-a- vis. The ministry of parish nursing in Germany is considered in light of the impact on the nursing profession and the demands created by COVID-19 within German society and the church in Germany.

Creating A Best Practice Model For Reopening Parish Nurse Sites Post-Pandemic, Mary Lynne Knighten Dnp, Rn, Nea-Bc

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic brought many changes to the healthcare delivery system. Parish nurses, faith community nurses, and congregational nurses found their practice frequently adapting to comply with government issued restrictions and the changing needs of the community. QueensCare Health & Faith Partnership (QHFP), a parish nurse program which is part of QueensCare, a non-profit public benefit corporation, and St. Dominic Catholic Church in Los Angeles, California designed a replicable model for safely reopening parish nurse sites. QHFP provides supportive healthcare services and case management services at no charge to underserved and vulnerable populations in cooperation with numerous churches, temples, …

Guest Editorial, Phyllis Ann Solari-Twadell Phd, Rn, Mpa, Faan

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

None

Ua60/4 Applied Arts & Health Nursing, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by the department of Nursing.

The Muslim Faith Community Nurse Can Facilitate Healthy Grieving From An Islamic Perspective, Nancy A. Romanchek

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

The purpose of this Practice Matters article, is to explore grief from an Islamic perspective and to discuss how the Muslim Faith Community Nurse can facilitate healthy, whole person grieving in the context of a Mosque Community.

Competency-Based Nursing Education And The Future Of Nursing: Where The Faith Community Nurse Fits In, Mary Lynne Knighten Dnp, Rn, Nea-Bc

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Abstract

Two significant nursing landmark reports published in 2021 are enhancing standards and providing guidance for nursing education and practice. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials: Core Competencies of Professional Nursing Education (2021) provides a blueprint for educationally and experientially preparing nurses for practice. The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity report defines issues such as health disparities and inequities, with recommendations for the role nurses should play in making change to improve the health of the nation.

This paper seeks to explore the intersections of these two reports with the specialty …

Practice Matters: Hypertension, Maire M. Blankenship

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

Hypertension remains a significant public health concern in the United States, affecting over 110 million adults, nearly half of the adult population. As a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, hypertension accounts for a large number of deaths annually. Many individuals with hypertension remain undiagnosed and undertreated, leading to increased healthcare costs. Recognizing the importance of addressing this widespread issue, the healthcare community, including Faith Community Nurses (FCNs), has played an essential role in the prevention and management of hypertension. While pharmacological interventions are common, lifestyle changes have demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing blood pressure and …

Be Still And Know That I Am God, Phyllis Ann Solari-Twadell Phd, Rn, Mpa, Faan

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

A short reflection that can be used to center self and increase relaxation

Nourishing Our Spirits, Marilyn D. Harris, Msn, Rn, Nea-Bc, Faan

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

This meditation shares experiences with growth of flowers from seeds to blooms, how the progress is incorporated into math lessons with kindergarteners, and the application to our spiritual life.

President's 10th Anniversary Message

International Journal of Faith Community Nursing

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 And Eating Disorders: How Covid-19 Increased The Prevalence And Severity Of Eating Disorders, And The Lasting Implications, Lucy Rogers

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

COVID-19 brought on a whirlwind of changes that were impossible to have foreseen. The impacts on individuals have left lasting impressions, the natures of which continue to be unearthed even now- 4 years later. This thesis will outline the impacts of COVID-19 on those suffering from eating disorders and disordered eating habits, as well as ideas for how to support and care for these individuals through their continued hardships which have been set in motion by the pandemic.

The research conducted on this topic utilized peer reviewed articles found through databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. The findings …

Bibliography, Kim Riddle

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Bibliography of presentations and research by Kim (Bourne) Riddle.