Spirituality

Spirituality

the essence of our being which informs the way we live and experience life; expressed and experienced through connectedness with self, others, nature, the world, sacredness

What spiritual factors impact nursing care?

beliefs about diet, healing, dress, birth, death

Spiritual Wellbeing

finding and maintaining purpose and meaning

Spiritual Distress

disruption in a person's beliefs and values; unable to find meaning, hope, love, comfort, strength

How migh spiritual distress manifest?

anger, sadness, despair, questioning, emptiness, pain

Faith

confident belief in something for which there is no proof or material evidence

Religion

organized system of beliefs about a higher power that includes worship, practices, and codes of conduct

Hope

allows us to have a positive outlook even in bleak moments

Culture

a set of beliefs, values, traditions that are a norm for a group of people

Why is spirituality so important in patient care?

it is impossible to care the whole person if this dimension is ignored

What spiritual needs do we have?

need for meaning and purpose; need for love and relatedness; need to forgiveness

Moral Ethics

code that guides a persons choices and behaviors

Spiritual History Assessment

consider spirituality, address it at each physical assessment, respect, make referrals to spiritual directors, screen for spiritual distress

Six Core Competencies of Spirituality in Nursing Care

handling ones own beliefs, spiritual assessment, spiritual care planning, providing and evaluating spiritual care, integrating spirituality into institutional policy

End of Life

occurs if a patient is projected to pass away within 12 months (incurable illness at advanced stages)

Palliative Care

can occur at any stage in the disease process; concurrent with curative treatment

Hospice Care

prognosis of 6 months or less, excludes curative treatment

Reconciliation Cycle

can be helpful in achieving forgiveness and healing

How can we grant more control to patients?

provide honest and accessible information; allow for freedom of choice; allow for free expression of hope' maximize present possibilities

What are some barriers to spiritual care?

lack of awareness, poor interprofessional skills, poor communication, lack of cultural competence, lack of time and space