THROUGH MY EYES:ONE NURSE'S VIEW ON THE POWER OF FAITH

DURING ILLNESS

Stephanie Scully, RN BSNNew Castle Presbytery Health Ministry Chair/ Editor

Christiana Care Cardiac Surgery Nurse

Why Present this Topic to Church Leaders The Book of Order

Services for Wholeness “Healing was an integral part of the

ministry of Jesus which the church has been called to continue as one dimension of its concern for the wholeness of people. Through services for wholeness, the church enacts in worship its ministry as a healing community.”

Objectives To display the importance of trust and meaning while caring

for ill patients To describe the spiritual roots of nursing To define spiritual health, spirituality, and faith in the context

of science To understand the concepts of holism and holistic health in

relation to a person’s well-being To explain the manifestations, causes, and ways to manage

spiritual distress in the hospital setting To identify ways in which religious leaders can most

effectively promote spiritual health in the hospital and home setting

To recognize the importance of addressing spiritual care needs in the community after hospitalization

The Roots of Nursing: A Religious

Background Revealed

Roots of Nursing Florence Nightingale

1820-1910The mother of nursingProtestant training

○ A Call from GodSpirituality

○ Entailed the development of courage, compassion inner peace, creative insight, and other “God-like qualities”

○ Endorsement of contemplative prayer

Roots of Nursing Other connections to religion

Betty Neuman and Jean Watson○ Spirituality impacts development○ Define holistic health

Watson○ Nurses should respect and

appreciate the spiritual meaning in a person’s life

Roots of Nursing Early 1980s- the turning point

Trend away from religion and spirituality focus in nursing ○ Providing holistic care

1978- NANDA Nursing diagnosis

○ Spiritual Distress

SPIRITUAL HEALTH

Spiritual Health Holistic nursing perspective

Biopsychosocial beingSpiritual coreComponents of the self

○ All integral to and influences the others:

Physical Mental SocialSpiritual

○ Spiritual aspects contribute to individuality and create meaning in people’s lives.

Spiritual Health What is Spirituality?

The quality or essence that pervades, integrates, and transcends one’s biopsychosocial

natureAn experience for connection to life, a way

of interpreting life events; a source of hope, joy, comfort and guidance on life’s journey

Includes all behaviors that give meaning to life and provide strength to the individual

Provides balance

Spiritual Health Characteristics of Spirituality

Holism○ Sense of wholeness and harmony

Spiritual Need○ Seeking meaning

Spiritual Quest○ A higher level of consciousness

Spiritual Well-Being○ Positive affirmations, celebrate wholeness

Spiritual Health Faith

More than a set of beliefsWay you act out your beliefsMaking meaning– central ideaWhat needs do faith and spirituality fulfill?

○ Meaning to life○ Sense of security○ Guide daily life○ Acceptance vs rejection○ Support○ Strength

Spiritual Health Why is understanding spirituality of an

individual important?A person’s inner strength comes from

different sources○ Navajo

Harmony○ Christians

God○ Tailor your care

Caring for patients (hospitalized or not) means caring for families and friends as well

Spiritual Health Statistics

Of the major religions in the world…

○ 33% are Christian○ 21% are Islamic○ 16% are Atheist, Agnostic, or nonreligious○ 14% are Hindu

In the United States…○ 76.5% are Christians○ 13.2% are Nonreligious/ secular○ 2.3% are Jewish○ 0.5% each are Hindu, Islamic, Agnostic, and

Buddhist

Spiritual Health Relation to Nursing

Crisis and change○ Transitions are times of anxiety and

vulnerability○ Front row seat○ Comforting patients

**EXAMPLE: PRAYER SHAWL , DEATH/DYING RITUALS I HAVE SEEN

Spiritual Health Why should healthcare providers assess

spirituality in the healthcare setting?Greater well-beingCoping mechanismsPhysical manifestations

○ Lower levels of mortality○ Less heart disease○ Lower blood pressure○ Less depression○ Lower stress levels○ Less alcohol and tobacco abuse○ Greater well-being and optimism○ Positive health habits

How Religious/ Spiritual Beliefs

Affect Individuals and Their Health

Impact on Patient Care Why does spiritual distress occur?

Questions about meaningProblems copingAnger Sleep disturbancesSeparation from religious practicesTreatments challenging beliefs

Impact on Patient Care Challenges hospitalized patients face

End of life decisions○ Family members’ beliefs

Blood transfusionsMedications Minor surgeries

**EXAMPLE: Blood refusal form, discussions about heart valves

Impact on Patient Care Manifestations of Altered Spiritual

FunctionVerbalization of distressAltered behavior

○ Nervous○ Introspective○ Emotion response○ Seek information○ Denial of situation○ Signs of guilt, fear, depression, or anxiety

Impact on Patient Care Nurturing the Spirit

Assessing spiritual status- questions○ What is strength for you? Where can you get it?○ Who gives you strength?○ How can you increase your inner strength?○ What does peace mean to you? Where do you feel at

peace?○ Who makes you feel more peaceful?○ What situations increase your sense of peace? ○ When do you feel most secure? ○ Where do you get your security from? Does someone

make you feel more secure? ○ How can you increase your security?

Impact on Patient Care Barriers

A persistent barrier to the incorporation of spirituality into clinical practice is the fear of imposing particular religious beliefs and values on others

Remain openLet the client guide the discussion

and tell you what THEY need

**EXAMPLE: COWORKER’S STORY

The Gaps I See: Nursing and Spiritual

Assessment, Is it a Reality?

The Gaps I See Spiritual Assessments

Questions nurses ask○ **EXAMPLE: CHRISTIANA’S ASSESSMENT

Reality vs. Practice○ Shift from vocation to profession

Justifying a nurse’s “VALUE”○ Increase in economic orientation

Where YOU can help○ Filling the gaps○ My sacrifice ○ My suggestion

Increase awareness of spiritual health Increase the population’s spiritual well-being

Importance of Follow-up With Individuals

After Hospitalization

Importance of Follow-Up “Hustle-Bustle Nursing”

NANDA diagnosis for “Spiritual Distress”○ What can nurses do NOW?

Rapid turnover of patients- What is actually done?

- Consult pastoral care- Consult psych- Suggest calling a religious leader

No followup post-dischargeAcknowledge spiritual painBe there, now

Importance of Follow-up Spiritual care

Ongoing processRelationships over timeCommunity based care– leadership

initiatives○ Not just “religious based”

Development of a sensitive spiritual relationship○ Parish nursing

Health promotion in faith communities○ Missionary nursing

Promoting holistic health globally

How You Can Help- A Guide for Church

Leaders

How You Can Help Key: A warm and trusting relationship

Sharing valuesOffering compassion, kindness, gentle

words, and a supportive presence can be life changing for someone in need

Spiritual CareA mutual potentially healing or integrating

process in which an individual’s spiritual needs are met

How You Can Help Spiritual Health Promotion

Use of Self○ Availability

Spiritual Support○ Diverse audience

Support of Spiritual Practices○ Special religious

considerations○ Privacy

How You Can Help Spiritual Health Interventions

Respecting and encouraging a person’s spiritual and religious interest and concerns enhances the healing process○ Listen and Support

Empathy and sensitivity○ Refer

To others as necessary○ Tailor your Care

Infants and parentsAge-appropriate

○ Presence

**EXAMPLE: HOLDING HANDS, PRAYER BEFORE INDUCTION

How You Can Help Caring and spirituality are central among

faith-based organizationsCIRCLE Model of Spiritual CareCaringIntuitionRespect for religious beliefs and practicesCautionListeningEmotional support

How You Can Help Alternative therapies-

Spiritual ConnectionPrayer and MeditationImagery

○ Especially while hospitalized

Relaxation exercisesQuiet focusControlled breathingTherapeutic touch

PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION EXERCISE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9sM24jdZ1w

How You Can Help Physical effects of relaxation techniques

over time:Lower blood pressureDecrease chronic painIncrease white blood cell production ->

decreased illnessDecreased dysmenorrhea

REVIEW OF HANDOUTS 109+ Ways to say, “I Care”

Thoughtful giftsWords that can helpOffering special services (i.e. babysitting)Outings (take me somewhere)Special Spirit Lifters

Hospital VisitationA guide to what you can offer

Visiting Someone in the HospitalTips and ideas for visiting someone

Major World Religions and Common Health BeliefsHow to address individuals of other religious within the

healthcare setting

QUESTIONS?

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