Abstract
Research regarding community-based nurse voluntary and involuntary termination rates are limited and outdated. This study explores faith community nursing termination using a survey. Survey questions pertaining to why the termination occurred, supportive resources used during termination, and post termination behaviors are addressed. The first three reasons for termination were due to site leadership change, not a strategic priority of the hospital or faith community leadership, and organization restructuring or elimination of the program. The fourth through seventh reasons for termination were financial in nature. They were: not a financial priority to hospital or health care organization, not a financial priority to the faith community leadership, and the startup was grant driven and funds ran out. At the time of the termination, respondents sought out professional therapy, peer support, books and literature, and holistic healing methods. Most reported that the counseling or the support sought was spiritual in nature.Most of the survey respondents returned to the specialty of faith community nursing in an unpaid position. There is a higher percentage of involuntary termination in faith community nursing compared with the profession of nursing overall. After termination, faith community nurses search for both a new job and new faith community. It was suggested that these issues be addressed within the specialty of faith community nursing through education.
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