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Spiritual Nursing

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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.

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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’

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Holistic health model

Health

physiological

psychological

Spiritual

Sociological

Environmental

Cultural

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

and state of health

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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

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Readiness to enhanced spiritual well being related to terminal illness

Dysfunctional grieving related to multiple losses/ loss of employment/ career/ lack of physical independence

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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

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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

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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

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Help client explore meaning of life Encourage hope Help client to interpret crisis as spiritual

growth Help client to cope with suffering

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