Using Nursing Interventions Classifications to Document Faith Community Nursing Transitional Care.

ABSTRACT: One out of five Medicare beneficiaries is readmitted within 30 days after hospital discharge, and as many as three in four readmissions are preventable. This study describes transitional care interventions (TCIs) delivered by one faith community nurse (FCN) to at-risk seniors living in a certain ZIP code. Two years of nursing documentation (2,280 interventions) were translated into Nursing Interventions Classification standardized nursing language. Results indicate the FCN provided priority TCIs including spiritual care. In fully describing TCIs using a nursing language, results support that the FCN transitional care model is a method worth exploring to provide wholistic transitional care.

Wounded Healers: Job Termination in Faith Community Nursing.

ABSTRACT: Research regarding faith community nursing termination is scarce. Ziebarth (2018) surveyed faith community nurses (FCNs) who had experienced termination of their position. This article explores FCN feelings related to termination and provides an evidence-based practice component to translate the research into practice. Given that FCNs engage in deep relationships with clients, their feelings following termination express grief and lack of support. Support strategies as well as preemptive strategies that may be useful to prevent loss of an FCN position or ministry are presented.

The Progression and Ongoing Development of a Research Agenda for Faith Community Nursing.

Research is critical to the growth of professional nursing in every practice area. Faith community nursing research evolved slowly in the years following publication of the first research in 1989. A faith community nursing research agenda was developed in 2008 and research priorities have been reviewed every 2 years since 2012 at a forum held in conjunction with the annual Westberg Symposium. This article reviews the progression and ongoing development of a research agenda for the specialty practice of faith community nursing. Recommendations for the development of future research for faith community nursing are discussed.

Moving Toward a Virtual Knowledge Platform for Faith Community Nurses.

In preparation for the development of a virtual knowledge platform for faith community nurses, a review of literature explored the prevalence and context of electronic knowledge management initiatives. The review revealed that healthcare, business, and global virtual knowledge platforms have been developed to elicit certain behaviors in users. For those who develop virtual knowledge platforms, the results are improved efficiency, innovation, accessibility, and cost savings. The main component of virtual knowledge platforms is a central repository or an infrastructure where knowledge is created, acquired, stored (documents), updated, and shared internally and externally. The refinery processes refer to technology mechanisms that make content accessible. A transparent collaboration among information technology, knowledge owners, and users is needed to successfully sustain a virtual knowledge platform. Faith community nurses often practice in isolated environments. A virtual knowledge platform where practice resources and tools are shared, and communication among peers exists, may improve knowledge and skills and result in a positive impact on patient outcomes.

A Transitional Care Model Using Faith Community Nurses.

The Medicare mandatory readmission reduction program has hospitals scrambling to reduce 30-day readmissions. A Faith Community Nurse (FCN) Transitional Care Model was developed from systematic literature review of predictive factors of readmission and pre- and postdischarge interventions that decrease readmission. The model presents specific FCN care that occurs pre- and posthospital discharge to support the patient in transitioning from one level of care to another, move toward wholistic health, and avoid unnecessary readmission.

Wholistic Health Care: Evolutionary Conceptual Analysis.

While performing a data search to define "wholistic health care", it was evident that a definite gap existed in published literature. In addition, there are different definitions and several similar terms (whole person care, wholistic health, whole person health, wholism, etc.), which may cause confusion. The purpose of this paper was to present the analysis of "wholistic health care" using Rodgers' Evolutionary Method. The method allows for the historical and social nature of "wholistic health care" and how it changes over time. Attributes, antecedents, and consequences of wholistic health care were reduced using a descriptive matrix. In addition, attributes that consistently occurred in wholistic health care were presented as essential attributes. Definitions of Wholistic Health Care Provider(s), Wholistic Health, Wholistic Illness, Wholistic Healing, and Patient were created from the analysis of the literature review of attributes, antecedents, and consequences of wholistic health care. Wholistic Health Care is defined as the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of wholistic illness in human beings to maintain wholistic health or enhance wholistic healing. Identified wholistic health needs are addressed simultaneously by one or a team of allied health professionals in the provision of primary care, secondary care, and tertiary care. Wholistic health care is patient centered and considers the totality of the person (e.g., human development at a given age, genetic endowments, disease processes, environment, culture, experiences, relationships, communication, assets, attitudes, beliefs, and lifestyle behaviors). Patient centered refers to the patient as active participant in deciding the course of care. Essential attributes of wholistic health care are faith (spiritual) integrating, health promoting, disease managing, coordinating, empowering, and accessing health care. Wholistic health care may occur in collaboration with a faith-based organization to mobilize volunteers to support and promote individual, family, and community health. A gap existed in literature regarding the definition of wholistic health care. In addition, a lack of clarity was identified due to the use of the concept, similar or related concepts. Conceptual clarity was sought through identification and definitions of attributes, Powered by Editorial Manager(®) and ProduXion Manager(®) from Aries Systems Corporation antecedents, and consequences. The theoretical definition of wholistic health care and conceptual model can be used to support the presence of the concept, develop model-based applications, and consistently test effectiveness.

Why a faith community nurse program? A five-finger response.

The value of a faith community nurse (FCN) program is difficult to communicate in a concise and effective manner to hospitals. It is important for FCNs and FCN Coordinators to have a well-rehearsed, value-added response to the question, "Why a Faith Community Nurse Program? "This article presents a concise, evidence-based response to this question and demonstrates the value of a hospital-supported FCN program in a five-finger response illustration. A concise "elevator speech" is an important strategy to provide a quick response in scheduled, intended, opportunistic, or spontaneous informal interactions in hospitals, and impact stakeholder perception of FCN program value.

Discovering determinants influencing faith community nursing practice.

Faith community nursing (FCN) is an important healthcare delivery system for individuals, families, and communities. Determinants are factors that might influence FCN care. A literature review isolated eight determinants that influence practice; however, there are no clear causal relationships linking specific determinants to specific practice changes. Research is needed to assess how determinants influence practice and outcomes, and provide evidence-based solutions to isolate and manage determinants. A Conceptual Model of FCN, Theoretical Definitions and a Diagram of Determinants of FCN Practice are provided.

Evolutionary conceptual analysis: faith community nursing.

The aim of the study was to report an evolutionary concept analysis of faith community nursing (FCN). FCN is a source of healthcare delivery in the USA which has grown in comprehensiveness and complexity. With increasing healthcare cost and a focus on access and prevention, FCN has extended beyond the physical walls of the faith community building. Faith communities and healthcare organizations invest in FCN and standardized training programs exist. Using Rodgers' evolutionary analysis, the literature was examined for antecedents, attributes, and consequences of the concept. This design allows for understanding the historical and social nature of the concept and how it changes over time. A search of databases using the keywords FCN, faith community nurse, parish nursing, and parish nurse was done. The concept of FCN was explored using research and theoretical literature. A theoretical definition and model were developed with relevant implications. The search results netted a sample of 124 reports of research and theoretical articles from multiple disciplines: medicine, education, religion and philosophy, international health, and nursing. Theoretical definition: FCN is a method of healthcare delivery that is centered in a relationship between the nurse and client (client as person, family, group, or community). The relationship occurs in an iterative motion over time when the client seeks or is targeted for wholistic health care with the goal of optimal wholistic health functioning. Faith integrating is a continuous occurring attribute. Health promoting, disease managing, coordinating, empowering and accessing health care are other essential attributes. All essential attributes occur with intentionality in a faith community, home, health institution and other community settings with fluidity as part of a community, national, or global health initiative. A new theoretical definition and corresponding conceptual model of FCN provides a basis for future nursing knowledge and model-based applications for evidence-based practice and research.

A community-based family intervention program to improve obesity in Hispanic families.

INTRODUCTION: The Waukesha County Division of Public Health and Waukesha Memorial Hospital developed a social-ecological approach to diminish the incidence of overweight and obesity in Hispanic families in Waukesha County. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: A sample of Waukesha County children and their families participated in an 8-week program that promoted awareness of healthy food choices and the importance of physical activity. The program was selected, translated, and adapted for the Hispanic community. Weekly sessions included nutrition classes, physical activity, and a healthy meal for participating families. Biometric data were collected pre- and post-program, including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, weight, height, and waist measurement. A pre- and post-program knowledge test regarding nutrition, food labels, and physical activity was administered. RESULTS: A total of 47 Hispanic families participated throughout the course of the program. Biometric measures and tests of nutrition knowledge and attitudes of participants consistently showed improvements. In addition, changes occurred in the community system structure, which positively affected the built environment by improving access to parks, YMCA, and schools for family physical activity. CONCLUSION: The translated curriculum was successful in reducing cardiac and diabetes risk factors in Hispanic adults by increasing knowledge and positive attitudes about healthy behaviors.

Exploring parish nurses' perspectives of parish nurse training.

BACKGROUND: Little research has explored parish nurses' perceptions of their preparation for their new role transition. This article studied role preparation from the perspective of practicing parish nurses. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design used in-person interviews and open-ended questions. Interviews with practicing parish nurses within 2 years of attending a training course were transcribed and coded. Participants shared their perceptions of role preparation and the interventions that were most helpful in transitioning to the role of parish nurse. RESULTS: Participants identified some deficiencies in training that led to feelings of inadequacy in areas such as spirituality and community nursing knowledge. Lack of role models and inadequate practice hours were challenges for role transition. Group activities during training and peer support were cited as helpful interventions for the new parish nurse. CONCLUSION: The findings will help parish nurse educators to understand factors that affect role transition for parish nurses and contribute to the improvement of training models to support successful role transition.