Week 11: Spirituality

Question 1

Spirituality

Answer 1

is hard to define because it is subjective – it is whatever the patient says it is

– finding hope, meaning and purpose in a chaotic world
non-medical dimension of care
Inner knowing
Strengths related to being
Energy giving individuals reason to exist
Interconnectedness with others, self, earth, and higher being
Meaningfulness in life
Hope and Coping in difficult times

Question 2

Rogers and Wattis

Answer 2

Difficult to define spirituality, since it is abstract and unique to the individual

Nurses can feel unprepared in providing spiritual care
- Nurses should focus to considering and responding to what patients view as spirituality

Question 3

spirituality vs. religion

Answer 3

relationship with God, higher power or supreme values that guide life = spirituality

organized worship = religion

relationship with self, others or the environment = spirituality

religion = path of spiritual fulfillment

purpose more meaning in life = spirituality

beliefs, rituals and practices = religion

Question 4

Relationship spirituality and religion

Answer 4

Spirituality = umbrella

Religion could fall under the umbrella but it doesn’t need to

Question 5

Vertical spirituality

Answer 5

journey practicing religion

Question 6

Horizontal spirituality

Answer 6

our existence and place in the world; beliefs, values, sources of strength, etc.

Question 7

Why explore spirituality in nursing?

Answer 7

Provide holistic care

Health and spirituality correlation

Question 8

4 characteristics of spirituality

Relationships with:

Answer 8

Self (inner strength, self knowledge, attitude and trust of people and future; values and beliefs)

Nature (harmony and knowledge about nature

Others (sharing time, knowledge and resources)

Deity (vertical spirituality, prayer and meditation

Question 9

Spiritual distress

Answer 9

“when life circumstances overwhelm our resources and ability to cope”

Question 10

Nursing practice

Challenge:

Spirituality

Answer 10

abstract topic

Question 11

Spiritual nursing

Answer 11

Intentional nursing practice where nurses offer a caring presence to clients that makes speaking about spiritual concerns possible

Active listening

Question 12

Goals of spiritual caregiving

Answer 12

Fostering integrity

Promoting interpersonal bonding

Respecting and enhancing personal quests for meaning of life

Recognizing the significance of existential experience (place in world and meaning

Question 13

What can nurses do to provide holistic care (including spirituality)

Answer 13

Understand own spirituality

Ask patients about their spirituality: what gives them hope? What can you do to help? What gives them joy?

Help individuals access an environment that helps them practice spirituality (hospital garden or library)

Allow patient to tell their story – ask how has this affected your relationships? What might help you cope”
->If a patient says “why me” say, do you have any spiritual needs you would like me to address in the context of your care?

Question 14

Foundational concepts

Answer 14

Ways of knowing
- Personal and aesthetic knowing

Context and culture

Time and transition

Personal meaning

Question 15

Integrating spiritual care into nursing practice

Answer 15

Reflect on self

Focus on little moments and listening to patient’s stories to try to intergrate spirituality and empathetic listening