Teaching the spiritual dimension of nursing care: a survey of U.S. baccalaureate nursing programs

Abstract

One hundred thirty-two randomly selected baccalaureate nursing programs in the Unites States responded to a survey exploring how the spiritual dimension of nursing care currently is being taught. The majority of programs included the concept of the spiritual dimension in curricula, but few programs had definitions of spirituality or spiritual nursing care. Content addressed most consistently by programs included assessment of spiritual needs, the needs of dying individuals, and the spiritual dimension as a component of holism or culture. There appeared to be a lack of clarity in the understanding of the concept of spirituality, as well as uncertainty about levels of faculty knowledge and comfort with teaching this topic.