NURS 330: Spirituality (Treas)

Charles Johnson is a 75-year-old divorced man with newly diagnosed lung cancer.
- He is uncertain about undergoing chemotherapy recommended by his provider to extend his life.
Background:
  - Raised in a Christian church but has distanced himself from practicing his faith over the years.
  - Started smoking at age 15 and has been a heavy drinker throughout his life.
  - He became critical of churchgoers, stating, "Church folks are all a bunch of hypocrites, if you ask me. I choose not to be a part of any of that."
Philosophy:
- He tries to be kind and tolerant, believing that how a person lives is between them and God.
Family and Support system:
- Has one surviving relative, a sister who is a devout Jehovah's Witness and is concerned about him.
- She attempts multiple times to discuss her faith with him, leaving religious pamphlets in his mailbox.
Personal Relationships:
  - Divorced 20 years ago due to his drinking; has alienated his two middle-aged children and rarely sees his grandchildren.
  - Lives alone, is retired, and faces financial difficulties.
  - Has a strong hobby of fishing, especially with his friend, Jim.

Physical Difficulties:
- Newly diagnosed with lung cancer.
Psychosocial Difficulties:
- Alienation from family, financial instability, and feelings of abandonment.

Primary Support:
- His sister; although her approach may strain their relationship due to differing beliefs.
- Friend Jim offers companionship, which is vital for mental well-being.

Investigate ways to introduce spiritual resources into Mr. Johnson’s life.
- Consider engaging with his sister in a more beneficial approach or exploring community resources that align with his interests.

Importance of Spirituality in Nursing:
- Spirituality is a vital component that enhances patient care and is part of holistic nursing approaches.

Spirituality of the Nurse: Each nurse carries their own sense of spirituality, shaping their practice.
Spirituality of the Patient and Family: Patients interpret spirituality variably; it may differentiate from formal religious rites.
Nursing Education: Emphasis on spiritual care varies across nursing programs, promoting individualized patient care.
Demands of Nursing Practice: Time constraints can hinder meeting spiritual needs; fostering a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship is critical (Keenan & Kirwan, 2018).

Understand the key concepts of spirituality and religion and their relationship to each other, forming a foundation for spiritual care.

Spirituality and religion historically intertwined with healthcare—healing practices combined with spiritual care.
- Notable figures such as Florence Nightingale emphasized the integration of spirituality and nursing.
- Modern nursing increasingly affirms spiritual care’s role in health.

Essential Elements: Meeting patients’ spiritual needs is critical for comprehensive care.
- The Joint Commission (2018a, 2018b) has set forth standards for providing spiritual care.
- ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses (2015) asserts that cultural and spiritual beliefs should guide care planning.

Definition Distinction:
  - Spirituality: Personal and often subjective explorative journey through life for meaning and fulfillment.
  - Religion: Organized structure of beliefs, practices, and codes that offer a way of living through formalized institutions (e.g., church, mosque).
  - Spirituality can exist apart from religion; atheists may still have spiritual needs (Sinclair & Rosielle, 2020).

Core characteristics often include theology, sacred texts, a notion of purpose, definitions of humanity, sin, salvation beliefs, and eschatology within various world religions.

Spiritual Self-Awareness: Essential for nurses to deliver client-centered care that respects client beliefs and preferences (Fowler, 2017a; Ubaidi, 2017).
- A mutual goal setting with clients promotes holistic assessments addressing spiritual dimensions.

Identified virtues such as faith, hope, and love form a foundational aspect of spiritual practice across religions.
  - Faith: Framework guiding belief systems and coping mechanisms in life’s challenges (Canada et al., 2016).
  - Hope: A belief in positive outcomes, contributing to resilience, especially in the context of illness (Hong et al., 2015).
  - Love: Central element inspiring caring relationships and spiritual health (Blevins, 2021).

General Understanding: Awareness of major religions aids in providing culturally competent care; respect for patient beliefs is paramount.

Overview of practices such as the observance of the Sabbath and dietary laws with implications for healthcare provisions.

Core beliefs surrounding the life of Jesus, significance of sacraments, and the variety of denominations within Christianity.

Beliefs regarding submission to Allah, dietary restrictions, and health practices and considerations.

Varied beliefs with dietary practices and spiritual traditions, emphasizing the interconnectedness of life events and spirituality.

Understanding of how spirituality influences personal growth and coping mechanisms, along with dietary traditions.

Awareness is critical, as barriers may include lack of time, knowledge, and awareness of one’s biases.

Conduct thorough assessments of spiritual practices and needs through direct patient interaction, observing nonverbal cues, and utilizing tools like HOPE and JAREL.

Interventions: Ranging from active listening, presence, touch, reminiscence therapy, spiritual support, prayer, and forgiveness facilitation require culturally sensitive approaches (Jackson et al., 2016).