Embodiment, nursing practice, and religious faith: a perspective from one tradition

Using a descriptive sketch of embodiment as experienced in the nursing encounter in an acute care setting, this paper examines aspects of the embodied encounter using the resources of the Christian, Reformed tradition. Offering or receiving nursing care has a spiritual dimension, and recognition of this allows care to be sensitive to and respectful of this dimension of human embodied experience. The encounter can be understood and lived out as (partially) sacramental, and understanding the sacramental quality of the the health care encounter allows both nurse and client to offer and accept dependency without a loss of dignity or humanity.