Spiritual Nursing 1

Definition  Spirituality is defined as the experience and expressions of one’s spirit in a unique and dynamic process reflecting faith in God or supreme being, connectedness with oneself, with others, universe, or God and integration of the dimension, mind, body and spirit  Spirituality is the quality or essence that pervades, integrates and transcends one’s bio psychosocial nature. 2

 Religion is a belief system, including dogma, rituals, and traditions or it is a social institution in which people participate together rather than an individual searching alone for the meaning of life  The word spirituality is derived from the latin word ‘spiritus’ means ‘breath of wind’ 3

 Monotheism – is the belief in the existence of one God who created and who rules the universe  Polytheism – is the belief in more than one God  Atheism – is the uncertainty about the existence of God or supreme being 4

Spiritual dimensions  A sense of personal contentment  A sense of peace with the self and the world  A sense of fulfillment in life and interaction with self and others  The ability to discover and articulate a basic purpose in life  The ability to experience love, joy, peace and contentment  The ability to live in wholeness consistent with the values of community and self. 5

Spiritual health includes  A concern for others and self  A sense of meaning and enjoyment in life  A commitment to purpose rather than self  A sense of relatedness  A means for moving through debilitating guilt, anger or anxiety  Life affirming relationship or harmonious interconnectness with deity, self, community and environment. 6

Characteristics of spirituality  A sense of wholeness and harmony within oneself  A sense of wholeness and harmony with others  A sense of wholeness and harmony with God or supreme power  A sense of wholeness and harmony with the ecosystem. 7

Spirituality and health  Health is defined as a state of well being resulting from harmonious interaction of body, mind, spirit and the environment.  A person’s health depends on a balance of physical, psychological, sociological, developmental and spiritual factors  Spirituality is considered as one of the important factors that helps to achieve the balance needed to maintain health and well being and to cope with illness 8

Holistic health model Health physi ologi cal psych ologi cal Spiritu al Sociol ogica l Enviro nmen tal Cultur al 9

Spiritual care in nursing  It is an essential component of comprehensive nursing care  It can decrease suffering and aid in physical and mental healing  Nurse should have skill in developing trusting relationship with clients  Nurse should communicate with sensitivity and empathy to have a good understanding of the patient’s values  Should understand the wider concepts of spirituality  Should respect all the religion and belief of clients 10

Characteristics of Spiritual health/ well being  Sense of inner peace  Compassion for life  Reverence for life  Gratitude  Appreciation of both unity and diversity  Humor  Wisdom  Generosity  Ability to transcend the self  Capacity for unconditional love 11

Spiritual needs  Need for love  Need for hope  Need for trust  Need for forgiveness  Need for to be respected and valued  Need for dignity  Need for meaning to the fullness of life  Need for values  Need for creativity  Need to be connected with God or supreme power  Need to belong to a community  Sense of purpose 12

Factors that affect spiritual health  Culture  Gender  Previous experience  Crisis and change  Separation from spiritual ties  Factors across life span  Physiological factors  Moral issues regarding therapy 13

Spiritual distress  It refers to a challenge to the spiritual well being or to the belief system that provides strength, hope and meaning to life. Spiritual distress incorporates five spiritual needs and they are;  Forgiveness  Love  Hope  Trust  Meaning and purpose in life 14

Characteristics of spiritual distress  Showing maladaptive behavior  Showing discomfort with self awareness  Expressing ambivalent feeling about God  Lacking love relationship with God  Having value conflicts  Unable to accept God  Behaving self destructively.  Fearing death/ life after death  Refusing to cooperate with health regimen  Being bitter/ angry with God  Lacking commitment  Fearing therapy  Feeling of worthlessness about life  Having unattainable goals  Expressing lack of hope 15

Goals of spiritual care  Help the client fulfill religious obligations  Help the client draw on and use inner resources more effectively to meet the present situation  Help the client maintain or establish a dynamic, personal relationship with a supreme being in the face of unpleasant circumstances  Help the client find meaning of existence and present situation  Promote a sense of hope 16

Assessment  Assess concept of God and deity  Source of hope and strength  Religious practices and rituals  Relationship between spiritual beliefs and state of health 17

Nursing diagnosis  Spiritual distress related to loss of child/sense of guilt/ conflict about belief/ sexual abuse/ crisis of illness  Potential for enhanced spiritual well being  Risk for spiritual distress  Ineffective coping related to loss of loved one/ psychiatric disorder/ alcoholism 18

 Readiness to enhanced spiritual well being related to terminal illness  Dysfunctional grieving related to multiple losses/ loss of employment/ career/ lack of physical independence 19

Planning  Help client create, maintain or renew relationships  Help to meet the need for love expressed through relationship and seen in words and acts of kindness  Help the client to search for meaning  Create a need of hope in the person 20

Interventions  Communicating about spiritual needs  Nurse must use herself/ himself therapeutically  Accompany client  Promoting therapeutic environment  Providing access to spiritual advisors  Helping client maintain relationships 21

 Support client’s religious practices  Create a trusting relationship with him  Do not discuss personal spiritual beliefs with clients unless the client requests  Allow time and privacy and provide comfort measures prior to private worship, prayer or meditation  Respect and ensure safety of client’s religious articles 22

 Help client explore meaning of life  Encourage hope  Help client to interpret crisis as spiritual growth  Help client to cope with suffering 23

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