Spirituality and nursing practice

Abstract

Summary Spirituality is often equated or used synonymously with the word religion but it appears this concept can be defined in broader terms. Nurses do not appear to consider spirituality adequately in clinical practice but if holistic care is to be given to patients it is essential that the spiritual component of individuals is addressed. This paper explores the concepts of spirituality and clinical practice. Clarification of the term spirituality is given followed by a critical review of the literature in order to establish its relevance to nursing practice and to what extent patients' spiritual needs are met. Aspects of spiritual assessment and spiritual care are also outlined. It is suggested that nurse education may help nurses incorporate spirituality into clinical practice by increasing their knowledge and understanding of such a concept.

Nurses’ provision of spiritual care in the Emergency Setting – An Irish Perspective

“…This is wholly consistent with the literature; several studies confirm confusion among nurses where spirituality is regarded as religion (Harrison and Burnard, 1993;Narayanasamy, 1993;Ross, 1997). Nurses in this study tended to use the patients' religious background as the cornerstone to spiritual care.…”

“…Several studies confirm confusion among nurses where spirituality is regarded as religion (Harrison and Burnard, 1993;Narayanasamy, 1993;Ross, 1997). Nevertheless, Koslander and Arvidsson (2005) assert that nurses want to help patients, but their knowledge of spiritual care is poor, and they need specific information on how to meet spiritual needs.…”

Meaning of spirituality: implications for nursing practice

“…Carroll, 2001;Chui, 2001;Shirahama & Inoue, 2001;Coyle, 2002;Tanyi, 2002). The search, also brought to light several studies investigating spirituality that had used a similar research design namely grounded theory (Harrison & Burnard, 1993;Burkhardt, 1994;Walton, 1997;Thomas & Retsas, 1999).…”

“…Waugh, 1992;McSherry, 1997;Narayanasamy & Owens, 2001;Baldacchino, 2002) and texts addressing the subject (e.g. Shelly & Fish, 1988;Harrison & Burnard, 1993;Cobb & Robshaw, 1998;McSherry, 2000b;Orchard, 2001;Narayanasamy, 2001;Swinton, 2001;Taylor, 2002). Interest in 'spirituality' has become far more professionally diverse with almost every health care profession contributing to the debate, including medicine (Culliford, 2002).…”

A Literature Review of Studies Using Qualitative Research to Explore Chronic Neuromuscular Disease

“…Nurses can support a patient's spiritual needs simply by listening (Harrison, 1993) if a patient endorses spirituality as important and by asking what religious or spiritual resources have previously helped the patient cope (Peri, 1995). Patients should be encouraged to seek solace in their spirituality, and a referral to the hospital chaplain or to the patient's own spiritual leader may be made.…”