Daily Spiritual Experiences of Nurse Educators and Relationship to Depression and Health
Paige Turner Johnson1, Michelle Cheshire, Felecia G Wood
1Paige Turner Johnson, PhD, RN, is an assistant professor at The University of Alabama and has expertise in undergraduate nursing education. She served on the Spirituality Task Force that integrated spirituality into the undergraduate curriculum. Michelle Cheshire, EdD, RN, is an assistant professor and RN Mobility Coordinator at the University of Alabama. She serves as the faculty advisor for the Nurses Christian Fellowship student organization at the Capstone College of Nursing. Linda L. Dunn, PhD, RN, professor emeritus, is a part-time graduate faculty member at the Capstone College of Nursing, where she taught full time for 32 years. During her tenure, she focused on holistic care and is currently a lay chaplain. Felecia G. Wood, PhD, RN, CNL, is employed with The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing and has expertise in undergraduate and graduate education. She served on the Spirituality Task Force that integrated spirituality into the undergraduate curriculum. Patrick J. Ewell, MA, is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alabama.
Abstract:
This research describes the first reported assessment of spirituality in nurse educators. Faculty members at a public university in a southern U.S. state participated in a study to investigate the relationship between daily spiritual experiences (DSE), self-reported health, and depression. All participants viewed themselves as spiritual, had a religious affiliation, and recognized a difference between spirituality and religiosity. Many who reported spiritual experiences at least daily rated their health as good or excellent; those reporting less frequent DSE reported more depressive symptoms. Nurse educators' self-awareness of spirituality is important as they prepare future nursing professionals who will integrate spirituality into healthcare.
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