Great News! The Faith Community Nursing Resource Center opened in late July. The Resource Center is a direct result of the planning done in late 2006 by the Faith Community Nurses Association of Oklahoma (FCNA OK) and Catholic Charities. The two organizations worked with ESCO to develop a five-year strategic plan in preparation for presentation to the Butterfield Foundation as a grant application. The grant monies were received in May 2007.

The manager, Marilyn Seiler, was hired in July. Since then the database of all known faith community nurses has been updated.

A comprehensive needs’ survey to all known faith community nurses in the state was mailed in August. This survey is being used to determine education needs of the faith community nurses in Oklahoma, as well as, determine the demographics of faith community nursing in Oklahoma. If you received a survey and have not yet returned it to the Resource Center, you may still do so.

There are two immediate tasks that the Resource Center will be undertaking around the first of the year. A health ministry advisory council is being formed to include community leaders who are committed to the development of the profession of faith community nursing. The group will include representatives from urban and rural areas, as well as, business, media, and health related leaders in the state.

The Resource Center will also be establishing networking groups of Faith Community Nurses in geographical areas of the state. These groups will support new and experienced nurses in education and theological reflection activities. The first group met in the Oklahoma City area in early December. This group plans to meet monthly.

The Resource Center has books and papers that will be categorized and catalogued for use by churches and nurses. The Center will serve as a resource and clearing house for groups in disseminating information for churches.

Continuing education modules are planned for presentation at each quarterly FCNA OK meeting. Additional modules will be planned for various locations around the state beginning in the spring of 2008.

The plan is to use electronic mail more frequently than postal mail to facilitate quick communication from the Resource Center.