HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NURSING ANGELES CITY SPIRITUALITY IN NURSING SPIRITUALITY No clear direction Means different things

gs on different people Ranges from strictly religious to strictly secular A deeply personal and integral part of a persons life. Traditionally, something that in ecclesiastical law belongs to the church or to a cleric Unifying force of a person; the essence of being that permeates all of life and is manifested in ones being, knowing, and doing; the interconnectedness with self, others, nature, and God/Life Force/Absolute/Transcendent One of the most important aspects in end-of-life care Nurses often feel helpless when it comes to providing the right type of spiritual care o Meaningful experiences are important to touch patients lives in some way through generous and compassionate acts Spiritual care is an important part of the dying process, but inadequately met Spiritual faith has been shown to be a protective factor during times of transitions and crisis. WHEN COMBINED, DEFINITIONS OF SPIRITUALITY INCLUDE: Elements of transcendence Mystery Connectedness Meaning and purpose Hope Higher power Relationships RELIGION Definition is not easy to find. There are many interpretations of what defines a religion but not one that can be said to be the most accurate. Any specific system of belief, worship, or conduct that prescribes certain responses to the existence (or non-existence) and character of God. the way of life determined by the vows ofpoverty, chastity, and obedience entered upon by monks, friars, and nuns A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny. An institution to express belief in a divine power.

The sum total of answers given to explain humankinds relationship with the universe. Not synonymous with having faith or being spiritual Patients may be motivated to take health promoting actions by a belief that the body is a temple for the spirit.

MOTIVATING PRACTICES IN SPIRITUALITY Meditation Attendance of religious services Prayer REASERCH FINDINGS Religious people are less anxious and depressed and are more adept and coping with illness and tragedy than are non-religious individuals Increasingly recognizing that spirituality is an integral component of holistic health and wellness Religiosity has been associated with damaging or deleterious effects Nurses were characterized as having deep spiritual faith and a welldeveloped commitment to finding meaning in life through service to others SENSE OF COHERENCE Essential to wellness A dynamic process through which one finds meaning and understanding in life events, and perceives that there are resources available to help confront the situation Similar to hope PROPOSED TAXONOMY OF SPIRITUALITY THEISTIC belief in a supreme being or deity RELIGIOUS a belief in God and certain religious practices, rituals, and customs LANGUAGE including expressions of inner peace and strength PENOMENOLOGICAL the process of learning through experiences EXISTENTIAL semantic philosophy of life and being MYSTICAL relationship between transcendent, interpersonal and transpersonal CHARACERISTICS OF A SPIRITUAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER good qualities of humankind o Being kind o Living the life of a good Christian o Living the Golden Rule o Being attentive to those in need * intently listening to patients stories and displaying the good qualities of humankind are ways that nurses and other health care professionals need to approach spiritual care with dying patients SPECIFIC NURSING INTERVENTIONS

Kindness and respect most responses Talking and listening superficial chatter vs. sharing religious experiences as comfort measures Prayer varied response because of different beliefs Connecting being authentic and genuine, having physical presence, having symmetry with patients o Symmetry-patients want to have a sense of working with nurses in a notion of friendship Quality temporal nursing care mechanism that support the spirit of the person, such as keeping the room clean and not allowing the patient to suffer. Mobilizing religious or spiritual resources consulting chaplains, having Bibles in the room, having other religious materials available as needed.

There are no completely right ways to help a person die because of individualized dying processes. SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT S- Spiritual belief system what is your formal religious affiliation? Name and describe your spiritual belief system. P- Personal spirituality describe the beliefs and practices of your religion or personal belief system. Describe the beliefs or practices you do not accept. What is the importance of spirituality/religion in your daily life. I-Integration with a spiritual community do you belong to a spiritual/religious group or community? Does or could this group provide help in dealing with health issues? R-Ritualized practices and restrictions are there specific practices that you carry out as part of your religion/spirituality? Are there certain lifestyle activities or practices that your religion/spirituality encourages or forbids? I-Implications for care what aspects of your religion/spirituality would you like me to keep in mind as I care for you? T-Terminal events planning as we plan for end-of-life care, how does your faith affect your decisions? NURSING DIAGNOSES Spiritual distress: Impaired ability to experience and integrate meaning and purpose in life through the individuals connectedness with self, others, art, music, literature, nature, or a power greater than oneself. Risk for spiritual distress: At risk for altered sense of harmonious connectedness with all of life and the universe in which dimensions that transcend and empower

the self may be disrupted. Readiness for enhanced spiritual well-being: Ability to experience and integrate meaning and purpose in life through connectedness with self, others, art, music, literature, nature, or a power greater than oneself.

Death forever changes the world of those who experience the loss of the person dying