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August 3, 2007

School of Nursing to offer continuing education courses focused on faith community nursing; begins Aug. 17

The University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Nursing will offer two new continuing education courses this fall, both concerning the subject of Faith Community Nursing. One will be in a live classroom, and the other online.

“Faith Community Nursing Preparation Course,” worth 45 contact hours, will begin Friday, Aug. 17 and continue Aug. 18, Sept. 21 – 22, and Oct. 19 – 20 at the Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 401 Sherrouse Ave. (two blocks south of ULM’s campus). Friday’s classes will be from 1 – 6 p.m., and Saturday’s will be from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The class is intended to prepare registered nurses to practice in congregations and worship communities in the role of a beginning Faith Community Nurse. This kind of nursing, also known as Parish Nursing, is a recognized specialty within the Community Health Nursing practice. It combines professional nursing and health ministry.

Students in the course explore the major concepts of Faith Community Nursing: spiritual formation, professionalism, health and wholeness (shalom), and community (including culture and diversity). FCN emphasizes wellness, preventive health and healing within a community of believers, focusing on an organized group within a larger association.

“The Faith Community Nurse, in collaboration with the pastoral staff and congregants, participates in the ongoing transformation of the community into sources of positive health and healing,” said Linda Sabin, professor of nursing and FCN facilitator.

ULM and LSBN the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation do not approve or endorse any commercial product or company associated with this activity. The curriculum offered in this program was developed and approved by the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, and the faculty presenting the course has been approved as an educator of Faith Community Nursing.

Each participant must submit a course application and a letter of support from a Faith Community prior to registration. The cost is $450 before Aug. 13. A $20 late fee will otherwise be assessed to participants. The registration fee includes the CE activity materials and handouts, but not textbooks or refreshments.

To register or obtain more information, contact Sabin at (318) 342-1517 or by email at sabin@ulm.edu.

The other class, “Faith Community Nursing Online Preparation Course,” retains identical goals.

The 20 modules comprising the course are designed to be completed in 1 – 3 hours. Students will use a variety of learning strategies—reading, audio/visual presentations, discussion, written reflection, and shared instruction.

The course will be supported by the Blackboard platform provided by the ULM Department of Continuing Education. Students will be able to progress at their own pace. A discussion board will be utilized to assist the group in continuing at a similar pace; the facilitator will be available for daily consultation and feedback. At the course conclusion, an optional session will be held in Monroe to provide students with the chance to share learning experiences.

The cost is $450. All persons registering after Sept. 30 will be asked to complete the course during the next offering as there would not be adequate time to complete the course by the December deadline. Information on the computer specifications, common online issues and application forms may be obtained from www.ce.ulm.edu. Contact Sabin for additional information.

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