Spiritual Care and Worldviews in Nursing

Answer to Section 1

Spiritual Care

The spiritual, emotional and physical needs of patients need to be looked into when undergoing treatment or when admitted to the hospital. Below is a definition of spiritual care and how it accords with the description in the topic readings (Crowther & Hall, 2015). In as much as physical care is imperative to the patients, spiritual care has a special way of connecting with them which in the long run enhances emotional healing as well.

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Tentatively, spiritual care is the attention given to a patient to satisfy his religious and emotional needs. As such, when the patient is in pain, spiritual care helps to reconstruct relationships both emotionally and physically. The person delivering spiritual care must have a proper understanding of the person's spiritual needs (Kelley & Morrison, 2015). Moreover, the nurse must respect the patient's wishes and should not at any point discourage him or her.

The text readings posit that nursing is a call and a patient is viewed as a person created in the image and likeness of God. As such, caring is an approach of faith and nurses should encourage the patients to connect with a spiritual being depending with their religious convictions. The nurses that deliver spiritual care are on their primary mission of healing as Christians (Shelly & Miller, 2006). The definition accords the topic readings as the main role of nurses is to care, inclusive of spiritual care to patients. It calls for one to take the risk of opening up to the patient to focus on establishing ultimate care and comfort.

References

Crowther, S., & Hall, J. (2015). Spirituality and spiritual care in and around childbirth. Women and birth, 28(2), 173-178. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2015.01.001

Kelley, A. S., & Morrison, R. S. (2015). Palliative care for the seriously ill. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(8), 747-755. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1404684

Shelly, J. A., & Miller, A. B. (2006). Called to care: A Christian worldview for nursing (2nd Ed.). Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic. ISBN-13: 9780830827657

Answer to Section 2

Worldviews in Nursing

Worldviews are beliefs that show how different cultures get to explain and interpret what they experience. Facilitation of spiritual care for patients with divergent worldviews can be a significant challenge to nurses and for this reason, it is imperative to consider weaknesses and strengths for healthcare practitioner (Blais & Hayes, 2015).

My strengths when delivering spiritual care to patients with different worldviews to my own is demonstrating skills, knowledge, and attitude to the patient. Also, I gain curiosity to know more, practice humility and self-awareness. Flexibility is quite essential in dealing with different views as it enhances coping up with the same. I appreciate the beliefs of the patients, especially how they explain and interpret their experiences. My main weakness is in convincing a patient's corporation because sometimes I become a little bit impatient especially to those who are a bit difficult and expresses vigor and insecurity. In terms of decision making, it is ethical to abide by the patient's wishes (Cannon, 2015). The final decision should be made by the patient in support of the nurse.

References

Blais, K., & Hayes, J. (2015). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives (7th Ed.). London, UK: Pearson.

Cannon, S. (2015). Introduction to nursing research. Burlington, US: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.