The concept of spirituality and religion share some similarities, but differ in many ways. Spirituality is defined as “Belief in and sense of connectedness with power outside of oneself” (Black, 2014, p. 355). The belief of a power outside of oneself could be the belief in a higher power. The thought that something is larger than you could be the belief in a spiritual being. The thought and giving of oneself to a higher power is utilized not only in holistic nursing, but in addiction recovery as well. The group Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) uses the mindset of higher power in the second step of the twelve step process. “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity” (Twelve Steps, 1981, p. 25). The thought
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Spiritual nursing care can be defined as “care that recognizes, respects, and, if appropriate, facilitates the practice of a patient’s spiritual beliefs” (Black, 2014, p. 355). The facilitation of patient’s beliefs may be as simple as praying with a patient or assisting them to the chapel, but can be involved when considering terminal illness and palliative care. The use of holistic nursing care has been a functional nursing theory for many years. Holistic nursing care is defined as “Nursing care that nourishes the whole person, that is, the body, mind, and spirit” (Black, 2014, p. 348). The art of holistic nursing is a balance of the body, mind, and spirit. A nurse must not only treat the illness, but treat the spirit that is where spirituality plays a major role in holistic nursing. The patient must have sound spiritual health in order to maintain physical health. The patient must feel that they are connected with their higher power in order to progress in their recovery. If a patient does not feel that they are treating their spirit properly it may delay their recovery, as well as, cause increased anxiety and alterations in …show more content…
I have no problem talking with my patient about their beliefs and ethnic or cultural needs, but I am sometimes timid when it comes to letting down my defenses and connecting spiritually with patients. I have worked in multiple acute care areas from the emergency room, to the intensive care unit, to the surgical burn unit. With that being said, I have become desensitized to be able to cope with the death and dying. A veteran emergency room nurse cannot wear their heart on their sleeve and not become completely overwhelmed and unable to provide accurate unbiased care in a high-stress acute care setting. I believe that just as we assess our patient’s spiritual needs, one must perform a personal inventory of our own spiritual requirements. The nurse must have faith in something more than just themselves. Whether it be GOD or the spirit of Florence Nightingale herself, we must have faith. The concept of compassion fatigue in healthcare is becoming an epidemic in the healthcare field. If the nurse becomes less empathetic and less caring to their patients, than how will the spiritual needs and requirements of the patient be meet. The nurse must be of sound physical and spiritual health themselves in order to deliver truly compassionate care to
Spiritual nursing care can be defined as “care that recognizes, respects, and, if appropriate, facilitates the practice of a patient’s spiritual beliefs” (Black, 2014, p. 355). The facilitation of patient’s beliefs may be as simple as praying with a patient or assisting them to the chapel, but can be involved when considering terminal illness and palliative care. The use of holistic nursing care has been a functional nursing theory for many years. Holistic nursing care is defined as “Nursing care that nourishes the whole person, that is, the body, mind, and spirit” (Black, 2014, p. 348). The art of holistic nursing is a balance of the body, mind, and spirit. A nurse must not only treat the illness, but treat the spirit that is where spirituality plays a major role in holistic nursing. The patient must have sound spiritual health in order to maintain physical health. The patient must feel that they are connected with their higher power in order to progress in their recovery. If a patient does not feel that they are treating their spirit properly it may delay their recovery, as well as, cause increased anxiety and alterations in …show more content…
I have no problem talking with my patient about their beliefs and ethnic or cultural needs, but I am sometimes timid when it comes to letting down my defenses and connecting spiritually with patients. I have worked in multiple acute care areas from the emergency room, to the intensive care unit, to the surgical burn unit. With that being said, I have become desensitized to be able to cope with the death and dying. A veteran emergency room nurse cannot wear their heart on their sleeve and not become completely overwhelmed and unable to provide accurate unbiased care in a high-stress acute care setting. I believe that just as we assess our patient’s spiritual needs, one must perform a personal inventory of our own spiritual requirements. The nurse must have faith in something more than just themselves. Whether it be GOD or the spirit of Florence Nightingale herself, we must have faith. The concept of compassion fatigue in healthcare is becoming an epidemic in the healthcare field. If the nurse becomes less empathetic and less caring to their patients, than how will the spiritual needs and requirements of the patient be meet. The nurse must be of sound physical and spiritual health themselves in order to deliver truly compassionate care to