Teaching on Spiritual Care, Coursework Example

This diagram represents a person-centered conceptual approach using care and treatment using core values and spiritual beliefs as key drivers in supporting patients. This process encourages nurses to be proactive in their efforts to identify patient needs, to demonstrate compassion for patients, and to be cognizant of the issues that are likely to occur that have a direct impact on health-related outcomes for which they play an integral role. Patient care quality must serve as a primary focus and emphasize the values and beliefs that propel nurses to communicate and share ideas effectively within the nursing unit. Based on the information provided in de Chesnay and Anderson (2012)

Religion demonstrates a belief in a higher power that is beyond this Earth and a formalized method of demonstrating beliefs and worship with customs and a higher level of discipline. Spirituality is associated with the soul and the inner self. The soul guides an individual in making decisions that will be towards the greater good of all persons and in strengthening the heart and mind. Nurses must tap into their spiritual nature throughout daily practice in order to achieve success in advancing high quality patient care. Spirituality supports an individual nurse’s perspective regarding the profession and how to approach and communicate with patients effectively to achieve healthier outcomes. In this context, nurses must be able to exercise sound and reasonable judgment that allows them to be spiritual yet practical in adopting approaches that will be effective in treating patients.

In essence, I am a highly spiritual person who believes in a higher power, a supreme entity. Although I support the Baptist faith, I do not solely rely on this belief system in governing my spirituality, as I believe that what takes place in the heart and the ability to exercise compassion within a situation is critical to achieving empathy and support for patients. I am confident in my spirituality and I believe that an individual does not need to attend a church service regularly to be spiritual. This is a learned concept that occurs throughout the life span and although it may have some roots in organized religion, a means of connecting to a higher power does not need to take place in a church service.  My personal form of spirituality is my own, and I am not required to share it with anyone else and to prove that I am a spiritual person through appearances. I recognize that my spirituality is part of my inner being and that it provides me with much guidance and support as I work with patients and aim to provide high quality care in the workplace.

In caring for patients, my spirituality is of the utmost importance, as it provides a greater sense of compassion and support for patient care needs to improve health and wellbeing. Furthermore, it reflects the importance of self-awareness in working with patients and how to engage spiritual values when patients experience setbacks or other dilemmas (Baldacchino, 2011). Spirituality also involves the development of factors related to compassion for patients and in offering a holistic approach to patient care at all times (Baldacchino, 2011). My spirituality is not directly reflected in the patient care that I provide in that I do not outwardly address spirituality; however, through my compassionate approach to patient care and my ability to exercise empathy towards patients, these factors support my continued effort to use spirituality towards the greater good in improving patient care quality.

Spiritual needs exhibited by patients are screened at admission prior to administering care and treatment, and this includes the following issues: 1) religious items to be placed in the room; 2) religious restrictions that may limit treatment in different ways; 3) beliefs or practices impacted by illness and/or hospitalization; 4) cultural or religious preferences that must continue while hospitalized; 5) the need for a visit from a spiritual counselor; and 6) the type of religious affiliations. Nurses may discuss spiritual beliefs with their patients if the issue emerges and must aim to respect patients and their beliefs in all patient care activities. Patients have holy bibles available to them, and a clergy group is available twice per week.

Some of the questions to ask and consider in a spiritual care assessment include whether or not patients have a spiritual or religious preference, if there are any procedures or tests that are not acceptable for these reasons, and whether or not there are specific requirements regarding prayer and medication. Questions regarding spirituality may also be introduced at a later date in order to determine if all required needs are met effectively and without any complications. Caring for another person requires a connection with the inner spirit and a feeling of comfort and understanding that patients will relate to and embrace as they receive care. In meeting my own spiritual needs, I strive to have quiet time on a regular basis when I am able to reflect on my beliefs and how I might continue to be comforted by these issues as I move forward with my life.

In my life, I have found significant meaning in many areas, such as my family, my friendships, and my work, among others. I strongly believe that I must continue to find my inner strength and focus, even when circumstances are very difficult and there appears to be a lack of concentration. This is when my spiritual nature kicks in and enables me to move back towards a more grounded environment in which I am able to effectively contribute to the practice setting and to be proactive in my level of sensitivity to my patients. If I do not have a connection to my own spirituality, the value and significance of my work and my life in general are minimized on many levels. These factors require my full and active engagement in my work activities and in my support of individuals seeking to be effective as a professional nurse, an opportunity that is highly meaningful to me.

Wellness in the nursing environment requires nurses to take the steps that are required to ensure that patient care needs are met through therapeutic interventions and attention to specific illnesses or issues that may diminish quality of life (Balboni et.al, 2013; Smyth & Allen, 2011). I also believe that it is important to identify resources that will encourage “being therapies” to provide a more centered and grounded approach to improve health and wellbeing through spiritual connections, mild exercise, and even meditation in some cases (O’Brien et.al, 2011. These options support person-centered care and a means of achieving greater wellness throughout the life span. Being therapies that are utilized include informal contemplation and meditation in some cases.

References

Balboni, M. J., Sullivan, A., Amobi, A., Phelps, A. C., Gorman, D. P., Zollfrank, A., … & Balboni, T. A. (2013). Why is spiritual care infrequent at the end of life? Spiritual care perceptions among patients, nurses, and physicians and the role of training. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 31(4), 461-467.

Baldacchino, D. R. (2011). Teaching on spiritual care: The perceived impact on qualified nurses. Nurse education in practice, 11(1), 47-53.

De Chesnay, M., & Anderson, B. (2011). Caring for the vulnerable: perspectives in nursing theory, practice, and research. Jones & Bartlett Learning. Develop

O’Brien, M. E. (2013). Spirituality in nursing. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Smyth, T., & Allen, S. (2011). Nurses’ experiences assessing the spirituality of terminally ill patients in acute clinical practice. International journal of palliative nursing, 17(7), 337-343.