A variety of concepts describe spiritual health. To provide meaningful and supportive spiritual care, it is important to understand the concepts of spirituality, spiritual well-being, faith, religion, and hope. Each concept offers direction in understanding the views that individuals have of life and its value. Show
SpiritualitySpirituality is a complex concept that is unique to each individual; it depends on a person’s culture, development, life experiences, beliefs, and ideas about life (McSherry, 2007). Furthermore, spirituality is an inherent human characteristic that exists in all people, regardless of their religious beliefs. It gives individuals the energy needed to discover themselves, cope with difficult situations, and maintain health (Villagomeza, 2006). Energy generated by spirituality helps patients feel well and guides choices made throughout life. Spirituality enables a person to love, have faith and hope, seek meaning in life, and nurture relationships with others. Because it is subjective, multidimensional, and personal, researchers and scholars cannot agree on a universal definition of spirituality (Tanyi, McKenzie, and Chapek, 2009). However, five distinct but overlapping constructs are frequently found in definitions of spirituality (Fig. 35-1). Self-transcendence is a sense of authentically connecting to one’s inner self (Vachon, Fillion, and Achille, 2009), whereas transcendence is the belief that a force outside of and greater than the person exists beyond the material world (Bailey et al., 2009). Individuals usually see this force as positive, and it allows people to have new experiences and develop new perspectives that are beyond ordinary physical boundaries. Examples of transcendent moments include the feeling of awe when holding a new baby or looking at a beautiful sunset. Spirituality offers a sense of connectedness intrapersonally (connected within oneself), interpersonally (connected with others and the environment), and transpersonally (connected with the unseen, God, or a higher power). Through connectedness patients are able to move beyond the stressors of everyday life and find comfort, faith, hope, peace, and empowerment (Nelson-Becker, Nakashima, and Canda, 2007). Faith allows people to have firm beliefs despite lack of physical evidence. It enables them to believe in and establish transpersonal connections. Although many people associate faith with religious beliefs, it exists without religious beliefs (Villagomeza, 2006). Hope has several meanings that vary on the basis of how it is being experienced; it usually refers to an energizing source that has an orientation to future goals and outcomes (Phillips-Salimi et al., 2007; Vachon, Fillion, and Achille, 2009). Spirituality gives people the ability to find a dynamic and creative sense of inner strength that is often used when making difficult decisions. Inner strength is a source of energy that instills hope, provides motivation, and promotes a positive outlook on life (Lundman et al., 2010). Inner peace fosters calm, positive, and peaceful feelings despite life experiences of chaos, fear, and uncertainty. These feelings help people feel comforted even in times of great distress (Hanson et al., 2008). Spirituality also helps people find meaning and purpose in life in both positive and negative life events (Bailey et al., 2009; Vachon, Fillion, and Achille, 2009). Some people do not believe in the existence of God (atheist) or they believe that there is no known ultimate reality (agnostic). This does not mean that spirituality is not an important concept for the atheist or agnostic (Smith-Stoner, 2007). Atheists search for meaning in life through their work and their relationships with others. Agnostics discover meaning in what they do or how they live because they find no ultimate meaning for the way things are. They believe that people bring meaning to what they do. Spirituality is an integrating theme. A person’s concept of spirituality begins in childhood and continues to grow throughout adulthood (Narayanasamy et al., 2004; Smith and McSherry, 2004). It represents the totality of one’s being, serving as the overriding perspective that unifies the various aspects of an individual. It spreads through all dimensions of a person’s life, whether or not the person acknowledges or develops it.  Religion in nursing is therapeutic when helps meet a patient’s need for love, understanding, meaning, purpose, and hope. According to the American Nurses Association Nursing’s Social Policy Statement, “attention to the range of human experiences and responses to health and illness within the physical and social environments” is central to modern nursing practices. Faith, religion, and spirituality are clear parts of what defines many groups of people and allow individuals to make sense of their experiences, including health and illness. The standards for culturally responsive nursing care include: showing reverence for religious differences, showing respect for the individuality of the patient, keeping an open mind, assuming nothing, asking questions, and paying attention to the verbal and non-verbal reactions of the patient. If excellent care for all patients is to be available, it is necessary that nurses learn to relate to patients of different faiths and cultures. Even when the patient’s background is similar to the nurses’, it does not mean the patient shares the same beliefs as the nurse. Treating the patient as an individual is important because of differences such as religion, culture, gender, education, socioeconomic status, and family traditions. Nurses need to appreciate and respect the patient as an individual. The Role of Spirituality in NursingWhen nurses deal with patients who are going through any form of physical or emotional illness, spiritual distress often follows. Even though nursing care focuses primarily on healing the body and mind, it is important to realize that when the spiritual side is not at ease, the body and mind would also not be at peace. When a patient is suffering from a terminal illness, they ask questions like, “Why is this happening to me?”, “What did I do to deserve this?”, “Has God forbidden me?” etc. During this time, they may not be taking their medicines on time. Their focus is not on the physical things but on something that is more intangible. In situations like these, it is not physical or emotional treatment that will help the patient find peace. It becomes very important for a nurse to cater to the spiritual needs of the patient. And a nurse is the most appropriate person to do this since they spend the most time with the patient. During times of spiritual distress, it is often a nurse that can comfort the patient by bonding on a spiritual level. This bonding and connection enable the patient to spiritually confide in the nurse. Honoring SpiritualityNurses play an important role in honoring the religious diversity of patients and families according to Kathleen Penzes’, MN, RN-BC, NEA-BC, executive director of women’s services and nursing administration at St. Joseph Hospital of Orange, a faith-based organization. “It’s part of our nursing background to honor the spirituality of our patients, so some of the initial nursing assessment questions address religious beliefs and preferences,” she said. Over the years, Penzes has learned that people’s religious beliefs usually come into play when they’re ill or dying. “We will make whatever accommodations they request to honor those beliefs,” she said. “Some of our patients have an end-of-life plan, analogous to the birth plans some families develop when they’re expecting a child, and those plans may involve bringing extra people into the clinical setting.” When end-of-life rituals involve large gatherings, music or chanting, Penzes, and her colleagues do what they can to minimize disruption to other patients. “While it can be a challenge in settings such as critical care to make accommodations, our nurses understand they can make exceptions to the guidelines to honor their patients’ religious beliefs,” she acknowledged. Spirituality in Nursing TodayHow does nursing today view spiritual care? For a long time, nursing literature concerning spiritual care focused on belief systems and religious practices. When considered, it was narrowly defined as relating to religious functions and the intervention of the hospital chaplain. Regardless of that, nurses often face the spiritual need and recognize the more obvious expressions of it. Statements such as “God must be punishing me” or questions like, “Nurse, do you think there is anything after death?” are spiritual concerns. Spiritual care can be a natural part of total care which fits easily into the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Placing spiritual needs and spiritual care within this framework has proved to be helpful, for practical reasons. The types of knowledge used in the nursing process – practice wisdom, ethics of practice, and scientific knowledge – are all relevant to evaluating spiritual needs and planning spiritual care. Also, nurses can document it in nursing care plans, to guarantee continuous care. Meeting the ChallengeSpiritual care can still be a scary prospect for many nurses. The differing beliefs, requirements, and hopes of patients are a major challenge. Nursing involvement already provides some spiritual assistance. Just being with patients, listening to their concerns, sympathizing, and responding, is therapeutic. To meet the needs of the human spirit, nurses must understand the need for love, meaning, purpose, and also hope. Nurses often fail to recognize and document this necessary care. There are nursing texts that give an overview of the religious/spiritual requirements of a number of major faiths. This is important because in many societies culture and religion weave together. Nurses need a working knowledge of major religions and their beliefs about health and illness, suffering, and death. Also, knowledge of customs, ceremonies, cleanliness/hygiene rules, and food laws have practical value. Are Spiritual Needs as Important as Physical Needs?Nursing acknowledges that spiritual needs are as important as physical needs for a person’s well-being. Increased awareness and preparation, together with a united approach, enhance the quality of care. They also strengthen the contribution to the ongoing development of the profession. It will require teamwork and unity in order to provide comprehensive, consistent, and ongoing spiritual care. There is strength in a diverse yet united approach to the challenge of spiritual care in nursing practice. Related:
Why is it important that religious beliefs are considered in a patient's care plan?Research suggests that attention to the religious and cultural needs of patients and service users can contribute to their wellbeing and, for instance, reduce their length of stay in hospital. Religion and belief are therefore important considerations for all patients and staff.
How should a nurse approach spiritual care when he or she has the same religious affiliation as a patient?Spiritual care interventions that specifically address religiosity include praying with or for the patient, reading scripture to or with the patient, and helping the patient perform religious rituals.
What is the relationship between health and religion?According to Ellison & Levin (1998), some studies indicate that religiosity appears to positively correlate with physical health. For instance, mortality rates are lower among people who frequently attend religious events and consider themselves both religious and spiritual.
How religious values beliefs and practices influence nursing care?Nursing care must be consistent and congruent with these beliefs and practices or dissonance and distress can occur. Conflicts with one's religious beliefs and treatment plans can lead to spiritual or religious distress as well as the refusal of treatments and nonadherence to the plan of care.
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When caring for patient the nurse must understand the difference between religion?
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