Faith-Based Nursing - Research Paper Example

? Topic :Faith based nursing Introduction Faith based nursing is not an old concept, but the nature of this nursing practice is deeply rooted to the profession. Faith based nursing idealizes the concept of caring, holism, health and healing. In holistic approach, a person is considered as a holistic being with a complete integration of body, soul and mind. Here caring refers to taking in consideration the needs and wants of a person. Health is referred to the experience of wholeness, shalom and salvation. It is the unification of physiological, psychological and social aspect of a patient and his harmony with self, others, God and environment. Health is something which can be experience only in the absence of disease and injury. So in faith based nursing attempt is made to give wholeness of mind, spirit and body to a patient suffering from illness. According to (Hickman,2006,pg 12)“Faith based nursing was the term used by the Rev. Granger West berg to describe the unique, specialized practice of professional nursing in faith communities to promote holistic health”. It is a principle of holistic health which aroused from a concept that the human beings must have the aim to strengthen his relationship with God, family and society. In earlier times, the faith based nursing existed between Judeo- Christian communities but currently it has taken strong hold in all other faiths as well. However, the concept of faith nursing is not well accepted by other faith traditions and as a result there are many other names given to this practice of nursing. The Concept of Faith Based Nursing The faith based nursing if defined from the perspective of Christianity can be said to be a sacred calling. It is a religious based phenomenon, wherein the faith upon the creator helps a patient in healing form an illness. Here the emphasis is on the spiritual relation of a person to God and health .In this area of nursing, the sacredness of God and its relation to the health of a person is considered of utmost importance. As per ( IPNRC,2000) “The American Nurses Association is the recognized professional organization for nurses in the United States. ANA sets universal standard for nursing care and professional performance common to all nurses engaged in clinical practice – Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice”. Faith based nursing can be offered in various models and it entirely depend upon the nature of faith community delivering the service. During the 16th and 17th century major transformation has occurred to this nursing practiced still the Roman Catholicism remained the dominant faith tradition. During this period, there were profound social, intellectual, political and economical changes which had impact on this nursing practice. There were reformation which led to the partition of churches into protestant and Roman catholic, and faith based nursing remained the latter’s concept and practice. In the their website ( Nursing Homes ,2010) writes that “Catholic nursing homes are often found in association with local parishes, however many are part of larger non-profit groups or hospitals that offer decades of experience with medical care as well as specialties like Alzheimer's care”. Scope and Practice of Faith Based Nursing Faith based nursing is also known as congregational nursing or parish nursing. The nurses who practice this nursing are bound by scope and standard of parish nursing practice established by American Nurse Association. According to ( Vicky, 2005)“Based on the generic standards, the American Nurses Association recognizes specialty nursing practice by identifying the specialty and delineating its unique scope and standards of practice”. The scope and standard of nursing practice were established with the co – operation of Health Ministries Association which was formed in 1988 by the recognition of ANA. Faith based nursing is a profession of independent nature and focuses on the promotion of health and wellbeing of people with the means of spirituality. The patient’s value, faith and trust in God play an important role faith based nursing practice. The code of care service provided by the nurses are formulated according to the standards of the ANA .The nurses who are practicing faith based nursing has to follow the code of practice in diagnosing, assessment, planning, evaluation and implementation to all the people involved in faith practice. The practice of nursing is guided by standards set by ANA and their behavioral pattern is controlled as to the quality of care, education, performance appraisal, ethics, research, collaboration and collegiality. In their website (Medscape Today,2007,pg238-242) explains that “ Resources for nurses interested in working in faith-based camps include Jewish Camp Association, Christian Camping International, and Christian Camp and Conference Association”. Faith Based Nursing and its Philosophy A philosophy is a particular set of belief and values regarding the nature of something. It identifies the important elements and meaning of a phenomenon. Philosophies can be organizational as well as personal.Barnum explains that the nursing theory is built upon four elements like context, process, content and goal. Context is the atmosphere in which the nursing practice is carried on. Content is the subject matter of theory and process is the method applied by nurse in accordance with the theory and goal is the aim of the theory like what the nurse intent to achieve from this whole process. The nurse acts with the help of these elements of nursing theory. Although nurses use theories which are from other disciplines to assist nursing practice the theory mainly contribute to the knowledge part as nursing science. Nursing theory is important to the faith based nursing practice as it provides ethical support and rationale to it. In his book ( O’Brien, 2003) mentions that “In describing the philosophy of faith based nursing , it can be pointed out that the key element of philosophy is this ;faith based nursing holds the spiritual dimension to be the centre of practice”. The philosophy of faith based nursing is extracted from the general nursing profession and in this practice the spiritual maturity of the nurse is given great importance. The faith based nursing is generally considered as the calling from the Lord to care for others than mere nursing profession. Faith Based Nursing and it Institution Model Faith based nursing programs were initiated when the health care systems and hospital were in look out for community outreach partnerships. This occurred as there was constant competition for clients in the health care sector. Faith based nursing helped the health care sector to being about something innovative to attract the clients. This faith based nursing programs make use of paid and unpaid nursing co-coordinators to treat the patients. This co – coordinators provide consultation and resources to the patients and assist the congregation in establishing faith based nursing. According to (rnbuilder, 2011) “The truth is that many of today’s hospitals and nursing homes are run by religious organizations. Although it is becoming increasingly more common for big businesses to own and operate hospitals, many health care centers have their roots in religious organizations”. Institutional models are often hospital based but also care facilities based on long term are also provided by faith based nursing programs. However, when the faith based nursing programs find the institutions are economically motivated then they abandoned them. As per (Perkin, 2007,pg 44-47) “Faith-based health care facilities, like secular ones, are institutions that bring health care professionals together to apply their knowledge, judgment, and skills to provide care for those in need of such services”. The faith based nursing unlike other health care providers have a holistic perspective on health which proves beneficial for both individual and society. In faith based nursing, the co- coordinator integrates the holistic approach with nursing practice to give spiritual and mental well being to the patient. Conclusion Faith based nursing is a very unique method of imparting health and wellness to people and society. The main mission of faith based nursing is to provide wholeness, health promotion and spiritual well being to a person. Nowadays, most of the hospitals and health care centers run with a profit motive and faith based nursing is a distinction from it. Faith based nursing or parish nursing is apt for people who are deep rooted in faith of Almighty. In the website (Strayer,2011) writes that “ Parish nurses visit and treat sick patients as well as pray with them, integrating treatment in healing and spirituality”. The faith based nursing emphasis on the influence of religion and faith of God on the health of a person and assist in changing the culture of people and society for a better world. According to (Morgan,1999)“Because of their community base, faith-based nursing programs are attracting an increasing number of partnerships with government agencies, community groups, and hospital systems”. According to experts, if this nursing program is planned and implemented in a cost effective manner then it can be reached to poor and under privileged people of the society. People have more trust on this faith based health treatment than general nursing and hospital care. It can be suggested that if faith based nursing provides facilities like transportation to health care facilities to senior citizens, assistance for home bound patients and health fairs with educational motive then it would have been extra beneficial for society. Nursing is a form of social service, and when it is combined with the power and faith of Lord miracle can take place in the lives of patients. Bibliography Hickman, J.S. (2006). Faith community nursing . Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkinson IPNRC, . (2000). Faith community nursing. Retrieved from http://www.ihwassoc.org/nursin g.html. Medscape Today, . (2007). Standards for camp nursing practice. Jannetti Publication , 33(3), 238-242 Morgan, L. (1999, August 23). Parish nursing. Retrieved from http://www.nurseweek.com/featur es/99-8/parish.html Nursing Homes, . (2010). Catholic and christian nursing homes. Retrieved from http://www.guidetonursinghomes.com/nursing-homes/christian-nursing-homes.html O'Brien, M.E. (2003). Parish nursing: healthcare ministry within the church . Sudbury: Jones & Barlett Publishers Inc. Perkin, K. (2007). Parish nursing and hospitals. Health prog, 88(1), 44-7 rn builder, Initials. (2011, May 2). What is the national league for nursing accrediting commission. Retrieved from http://www.rnbuilder.com/blog/education/faith-based-nursing-program/n Strayer, P. (2011). Faith based nursing. Retrieved from http://nursinglink.monster.com/educa tion/articles/3314-faith-based-nursing Vicky, R.N. (2005, December 19). Excellent resources for parish nursing. Retrieved from http://allnurses.com/parish-nursing/excellent-resources-parish-134327.html Read More