Parish Nursing Training

The Foundations of Parish Nursing certificate program is designed to prepare nurses to serve effectively within their faith communities. Working collaboratively within a community of faith, the nurse may function in one or all of the following roles:

• Health educator
• Personal health counselor
• Health advocate
• Referral agent
• Community liaison
• Coordinator of volunteers
• Integrator of faith and health
• Developer of support groups

This foundations certificate program has a unique pediatric nursing focus. It is based on the curriculum developed through the International Parish Nurse Resource Center and is approved for 39.5 contact hours by Children’s National Health System Department of Nursing Education and Professional Development Division of Nursing Center for Continuing Education, an accredited provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. The program is delivered in the classroom and is taught by professional nursing faculty, pediatric healthcare subject matter experts, and experienced parish nurses. The program meets the American Nurses Association Faith Community Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd Ed, requirement of 34 contact hours for continuing education of foundational content for faith community nursing.

The curriculum for the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Course includes:

• The integration of faith and health as central to the Parish Nurse role
• Application of knowledge, attitude and skills to practice as a Parish nurse, particularly in the pediatric population
• Identification of a network for continuing development and support
• Commitment to continued spiritual formation to effectively understand and carry out the FCN role

The Advisory Council are volunteers who actively encourage and support the Parish Nursing Program. The members provide counsel and consultation to the manager of the Parish Nursing Program through reviews and recommendations of ideas, policies and procedures, and program assessment, planning, and evaluation. The council guides future plans for growth and development of the program and strategic planning. The membership includes our Sr. Chaplain, parish nurses, advanced practice nurses, local clergy, social work, and health educators.

Goals:

• Increase awareness in faith communities regarding childhood illnesses and the prevention of disease in children and teens
• Collaborate with the health ministries in established communities of faith to plan and implement programs designed to improve the health of children and teens
• Educate faith communities about services provided at Children’s National for children, teens and families
• Increase awareness in the faith communities about childhood illnesses and disease prevention in children
• Strengthen relationships between Children’s National and faith communities whose children and families we serve through health awareness initiatives

Program Offerings:

• Training for registered nurses to become a parish nurse
• Information and access to the unique programs and services for children, teens, and families at Children’s National
• Speakers’ Bureau access—Subject matter experts who provide education regarding childhood illnesses and the prevention of disease in children
• Consultation on establishing a Parish Nurse Program within a faith community or hospital system
• Facilitation of a support and communication network for Parish nurses to promote education, resource sharing, program and profession development, advocacy, and research.

Location:

Sheikh Zayed Campus, Main Hospital 

Contacts:

Simmy Randhawa, DNP, MBA, MS, NE-BC
Director- Nursing Education,
Professional Development, Parish Nursing
and BOV Simulation Program
202-476-4151
srandhaw@childrensnational.org

Brenda G. McNeely, MA, BSN, RN-BC
Manager- Nursing Education, Professional
Development and Parish Nursing
202-476-5235
bmcneely@childrensnational.org