Recognizing and caring for spiritual needs of clients

Abstract

Purpose: With increased attention in health care being given to the spiritual dimension of clients, nurses must be able to recognize clients' spiritual concerns and intervene appropriately. This article proposes that nurses may find the concept of spiritual needs more useful than the term spirituality in guiding practice decisions and curriculum development.

Methods: A review of nursing and theological literature addressing the spiritual dimension was conducted. Elements of the spiritual dimension and suggestions for nursing intervention were identified.

Findings: Four case situations from the author's past practice are analyzed.

Conclusion: Utilization of the elements of the spiritual dimension is a useful means of recognizing spiritual needs of clients and planning spiritual care.

Implications: Nursing faculty need to examine curricula for inclusion of assessment of and intervention for spiritual needs. Practicing nurses need to be supported in their role in meeting spiritual needs of clients.