Strategies for Providing Spiritual Care & Support to Nursing Students

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Spiritual Care
• Healthcare Practice

Background:

• Limited literature exists on teaching spiritual care and prayer in undergraduate nursing programs.
• Nurse educators require effective strategies to foster spiritual care competencies in students.
• Spiritual care is essential for holistic patient care and student development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe teaching strategies for spiritual care development in undergraduate nursing students.
• To address the gap in literature regarding spiritual care education in nursing curricula.
• To present an integrated approach to spiritual care education within a faith-based nursing program.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of spiritual care strategies integrated throughout the nursing curriculum.
• Utilizing these strategies in both domestic (U.S.) and international (Ireland) study-abroad programs.
• Focus on facilitating students' spiritual development and recognition of patient spiritual needs.

Main Results:

• The faith-based school successfully integrated spiritual care strategies across its curriculum.
• The strategies were applicable and utilized in both U.S. and study-abroad settings.
• Students were equipped to develop their own spiritual care and recognize patient needs.

Conclusions:

• Integrating spiritual care education throughout the nursing curriculum is feasible and effective.
• A faith-based approach can successfully foster spiritual development in nursing students.
• These strategies enhance nursing students' ability to provide comprehensive spiritual care.