Nurses Want To Be Spiritually Trained

Patients require more spiritual care, say nurses who participated in a recent survey run by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). More than 80% believe spirituality to be an essential part of nursing and that spiritual care should be taught during training.

The survey showed the majority of nurses held refreshing opinions about spirituality, a topic the RCN had feared could “be subject to taboo and misunderstanding”. An overwhelming majority of respondents (94%) believe that spirituality is more than going to church and most believe spiritual care is also important for atheist and agnostics.

One nurse said: “I consider spirituality to be part of the 'whole' care one should be giving to patients and families ...it means ensuring that 'mind' i.e. thoughts, worries...as well as the body, is considered when providing care.”

The survey of more than 400 nurses revealed that only 5% believed they could fulfil their patients' spiritual needs. The most important spiritual requirements were maintaining patients' dignity, privacy and respecting their cultural and religious beliefs. Showing kindness and listening were also thought to be important.

Janet Davies of the RCN, said they investigated the subject because they are “committed to the promotion of holistic care,” and because they feel nurses need clear guidelines when dealing when dealing with spiritual issues.

Kindred Spirit Magazine - January 2011