Executive Summary

Faith Community Nurses International is the only professional faith community nurse membership organization--created and led BY faith community nurses/parish nurses FOR faith community nurses/parish nurses--which differentiates us from other special interest nursing organizations available in the market.

Faith Community Nurses International (FCNI) is the only professional membership organization for Faith Community Nurses and Parish Nurses - created and lead BY faith community nurses and parish nurses FOR faith community nurses and parish nurses. The vision of FCNI is to create a vibrant, interfaith, international network of Faith Community Nurses by communication, connection, research, education, and evidence-based practice (EBP) to advance the nursing specialty. FCNI offers members access to the online peer-reviewed International Journal of Faith Community Nursing (in partnership with Western Kentucky University), an annual General Membership meeting, the Research Forum, virtual and online educational programs with continuing nursing education (CNE) hours, a blog by the President that explores contemporary issues, networking on social media and at virtual events, committee involvement, and both practice and spiritual resources. Most of these resources and benefits are free or low cost to member.

Organizational History

In August 2013, the Faith Community Nurse Network of the Greater Twin Cities hosted a gathering of six FCNs at Charlson Meadows outside Minneapolis to discuss forming an organization to support faith community nurses. It was during those meetings that Faith Community Nurses International was born. Beverly Siegrist, Chair, Andrea West, Vice-Chair, and Wanda Alexander, Secretary-Treasurer continued to work on the organization's development for the next two years. FCNI was incorporated in Minnesota; members were recruited, bylaws were adopted. A full Board was appointed and returned to Charlson Meadows to continue development and planning in October 2015. Since that date, FCNI has grown to be the professional nursing organization for faith community nurses, focusing on the advancement of the science of the specialty practice through promoting  education, research, and evidence-based practice. A transitional partnership was established with Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina from 2019-2020 with the goal of jointly offering educational programs, supporting research efforts, and promoting the evidence-based practice of faith community nursing. 

In October 2021, FCNI obtained a 501(C)3 non-profit status. In addition, the International Journal of Faith Community Nursing published the first online issue after a two-year hiatus.

FCNI Guiding Principles

Faith community nursing is considered a "calling" in which ministry shapes the nursing practice.

Respect for Faith and Service as a basis for professional practice; recognizing interfaith practices and beliefs are essential to growing and enriching faith community nursing.

Care of the spirit, education, and lifelong learning are underpinnings of our professional responsibilities.

Integrity, honesty, and transparency are the basis for organizational business practices and services to members.

Excellence in professional practice is aligned with the American Nurses Association (ANA) Scope and Standards.

Mission, Vision, and Values

Mission: To advance the specialty practice of faith community nursing through professional education, competency development, research, and evidence-based practice.

Vision: FCNI strives to be a vibrant, interfaith international network of faith community nurses, empowering and supporting our members as they provide care for individuals in communities in diverse setting, considering mind, body, and spirit.

Purpose: The purpose of this professional membership organization is to:

• Recognize the practice of faith community nursing as a ministry
• Advance faith community nursing as a nursing specialty
• Connect faith community nurses (FCNs) worldwide
• Support research in faith community nursing
• Provide continuing education programs for FCNs
• Maintain an online, peer-reviewed nursing journal
• Advocate for faith community nursing practice locally, nationally, and internationally

Values: Faith, whole person health, respect and dignity of individuals, ministry, interfaith, intradisciplinary, and interdisciplinary collaboration