Nursing and Spirituality

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September 15, 2011 in Professional-Issues

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As a nurse, you are with your patient through the most difficult times in his life. You see them when they are suffering, when they hear bad news and when they face tough choices. A hospital, a nursing home and a patient's house are often the backdrop for spiritual anguish that nurses witness every day. However, many nurses do not get the training in dealing with the spiritual aspects of a patient's well-being, and this can lead to an oversight in care. You can give so much more to your patients with a few well-placed, compassionate questions.

Definition of Spirituality

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2006, 26 percent of respondents identified themselves as Catholic, 19 percent as Anglican, 19 percent as other Christian, 6 percent as non-Christian religious and 31 percent claimed no religion at all. However, spirituality does not necessarily have anything to do with a person's religious beliefs. Spirituality embraces how we relate to our world, how we derive meaning from what is happening to us, and how we define ourselves as an individual, according to the "International Journal of Caring Sciences." It does not have to necessarily include a vision of a "god." Instead, it is a search for meaning, a way to come to terms with events. Nurses can help patients with this.

Spirituality for the Nurse

To help your patient through a difficult time, it helps for you to know something about your own spirituality. Instead of sweeping your ideas of spirituality under the rug, examine them. If you are unwilling to look at your own beliefs suffering, you will not have the ability to help your patient. Your comfort with your own notions of spirituality come from understanding your views first. Only then can you be present for your patient while she endures the suffering and pain that you will encounter as a nurse. Since you did not turn away from your own questions into spirituality and your own suffering, you are less likely to turn away from hers.

Direct Assessment

Two different approaches exist to assess spirituality: direct assessment and indirect assessment. A direct assessment uses mnemonics and is usually done on admission and transfers. You can use the HOPE device to perform a standardized assessment of your patient's spiritual needs. H stands for sources of hope, meaning, comfort, strength, love and comfort for your patient. O stands for what organized religion your patient is a part of. P stands for your patient's personal spirituality practices. E stands for the effects these practices have on medical care or end of life decisions, if any.

Indirect Assessment

Indirect assessment is more difficult, but more helpful for the patient. It focuses on the familiar skills of listening and observing, but adds the important skill of presence. Listen to your patient's remarks about their condition and about their feelings. Observe their facial expressions and behaviors. Be present for them to talk to you. It is so easy to go into a room, pass medications and move on to the next patient. Spirituality in nursing asks you to take a moment and stand there with the patient. Ask open-ended questions, and stay to listen to the answers. Focus on concerns, needs and hurts, according to "Rehabilitation Nursing." Ask what is making them feel sad or worried. You can ask the patient what beliefs they hold that have helped them in the past. Any of these questions can open the flood-gates to a spiritual assessment that can allow you to help the patient through their suffering. If needed, you can refer them to more focused spiritual care, such as a chaplain. Most importantly, the mere act of being present for the moment will allow your patient the permission to open up to you, and that may make all the difference in their care.

Related Resource: Religion and Medicine Full-Text eBook.