Critical Thinking: A Theoretical Framework for the Foundations in Faith Community Nursing Education Program

On Saturday, April 9th, the PNMNY, Inc. educational team, Ann Marie MacIsaac, Yvonne Askew, and Lucinda Phillips will offer a poster presentation at the Trocaire-sponsored “TIEL” Conference. The conference is focusing on Teaching innovations and Enhanced Learning. *The poster presentation will be repeated at the Professional Nurses Ass. of WNY Research & Scholarly Activities Conference Tue, April 19, 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm Congratulations Ann Marie, Yvonne, and Cindy for a job well done.

*Title: Critical Thinking: A Theoretical Framework for the Foundations in Faith Community Nursing Education Program

Presenters: Ann Marie MacIsaac. Yvonne Askew, and Lucinda Phillips, Parish Nurse Ministries of New York, Inc.

Abstract: Faith Community Nursing is a recognized subspecialty of the American Nurses Association and is guided by the Scope and Standards of Practice specific for this role. Faith Community nurses are now eligible to become certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Commission. The FCN is an internationally recognized professional nursing role. Since 2004, PNMNY, Inc. has been using the above curriculum which is updated every 5 years.

The FCN/PN (Faith Community Nurse) role is an independent one. However, collaboration with interdisciplinary and interdisciplinary groups is part of the usual practice. Thus critical thinking is an integral skill for the nurse to master in order to practice successfully. FCN/PN is involved with individuals, families church team members, and community leaders and is expected to affect change within the faith community and beyond.

The registered nurse participants/students are all adult learners who bring their experiences to an educational forum that promotes the use of critical thinking to enhance their fund of knowledge. The presenters will share success stories, challenges, and strategic modifications made to the standardized educational program which has evolved over the past eleven years. The novel ideas which have been designed and incorporated into the two models of curriculum delivery employed by PNMNY, Inc., will be shared.

Case studies, discussions, and an experimental learning opportunity will allow the participants to glean insight into the value of critical thinking when addressing day-to-day issues.