SPIRITUALITY

Theory Foundations
Fall 2010
Janice McKinney MSN, RN
OBJECTIVES
 The student will evaluate spiritual/religious
needs. The student will be able to :

 Evaluate various spiritual/religious beliefs that

impact patient/client care
 Apply the nursing process as it relates to
spiritual/religious needs
SPIRITUALITY
 The part of being human that seeks
meaningfulness through intra, inter, and
transpersonal connection ( Reed, 1992)
 Involves a belief in some sort of higher power or
divine energy-spirit
 God, Allah, Great Spirit

 Includes aspects of:

 Meaning
 Value
 Transcendence
 Connecting
 Becoming
SPIRITUAL NEEDS
 Needs related to self- meaning, purpose, hope,
personal dignity, gratitude, prepare for and accept
death

 Needs related to others- forgivness, cope with loss

of loved ones

 Needs related to Ultimate other- certainty of God

or higher authority, God is loving and present,
worship

 Needs related among groups-contribute to

community, be respected or valued, what and when to
give and take
SPIRITUAL WELL BEING
 Feeling of being:
 Generally alive
 Purposeful
 Fulfilled
 Connected to others

 Spiritual energy
 Nurtured in many ways, group gatherings,
service to others etc
 Nurses who nurture their own spirituality are
more able to deal with clients spirituality
SPIRITUAL DISTRESS
 Express lack of hope or meaning, or purpose in
life, or self forgiveness
 Express feeling of being abandoned or angry with
God
 Refuses interaction with others

 Sudden change in spiritual practices

 Request to see a religious leader

 No interest in nature or spiritual activity

RELATED CONCEPTS
 Religion

 Faith

 Hope

 Transcendence

 Forgiveness
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES AFFECTING
NURSING CARE
 Nurse must be careful to not place their spiritual
beliefs and expectations on their clients
 Guidelines for ethical conduct in spiritual care
giving:
 Seek basic understanding of clients spiritual needs
 Follow clients expressed wishes
 Do not prescribe or urge clients to adopt certain
beliefs or practices
 Strive to understand person spirituality
 Provide spiritual care
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES AFFECTING
NURSING CARE
 Holy Days
 Sacred Writings

 Sacred Symbols

 Prayer and Meditation

 Diet and Nutrition

 Healing practices

 Dress

 Birth

 Death
NURSING MANAGEMENT
 Nursing History

 What spiritual beliefs are important to you?

 How is your faith a source in the way you cope?

 Is there a group or church?

 How would you like the health care team to support

your faith?
 Clinical Assessment

 Does the client have a Bible, or Koran, or Torah,

Rosary, Star of David,

 Does a church send flowers or cards?

 Does the client pray before meals

 Does the client talk about religious things, or ask for

a priest or minister?
DIAGNOSING
SPIRITUALITY OR RELIGIOUS
 Spiritual Distress

 Readiness for Enhanced spiritual well –Being

 Risk for Spiritual Distress

 May be the etiology for other Nursing Diagnoses

PLANNING
 Help the client fulfill religious obligations

 Help the client draw on and use inner resources

 Help the client maintain or establish personal

relation ship with supreme being

 Hel the client find meaning

 Promote a sense of hope

IMPLEMENTING
 Provide presence by :
 Giving of self
 Being available
 Listening

 Support their Religious Practices when possible

 Trusting relationship, do not discuss personal beliefs,
 Facilitate needs

 Assist with Prayer

 Facilitate minister
 Maintain quiet environment
 Pray with them if asked and you feel comfortable
 ( 1053)
SPECIFIC HEALTH RELATED INFORMATION
PAGE 1052, BOX 41-3
 Amish- no insurance, rely on community
 Roman Catholic- appreciate Holy Communion,
Ash Wednesday, Sacrament of the Sick
 Buddhist- Vegetarian

 Hindu- Eat no beef

 Jehovahs Witness- no blood or blood products

 Jewish- Kosher diet, avoid pork

 Muslim- modest, avoid nakedness. Same-gender

nurse
 Seventh Day Adventist-Saturday is the
Sabbath
NURSE-CLIENT SPIRITUAL VALUE
CONFLICT
 Assess assumptions or beliefs
 Explain simply to client

 Openly compare beliefs with client

 Objectively discuss differences in backgrounds

 Encourage client to ask questions

 Support Clients beliefs or practices

 Accommodate their beliefs

 Change and provide alternate caregivers if

needed