NSG 316 Spirituality in Health Assessment Paper

Running head: SPIRITUALITY IN HEALTH ASSESSMENT 1
Spirituality in Health Assessment
Desiree Lund
Grand Canyon University: NSG 316 Health Assessment
9/15/2019
SPIRITUALITY IN HEALTH ASSESSMENT 2
Spirituality in Health Assessment
Holistic care focuses on healing the person as a whole in terms of body, mind, and spirit.
This is important in nursing, especially when considering the idea of patient-centered care and
providing care that is centered around the patient’s values. A component of patient-centered care
and developing trusting relationships with patients has to do with cultural assessment. A big part
of cultural assessment is comprised of spirituality which is a broad term to define a connection to
something bigger than oneself and a belief in transcendence (Jarvis, 2019, pg. 14).
Understanding a patient’s spirituality as well as the nurse’s own spirituality is critical in patient
care because it has multiple benefits such as understanding varying coping mechanisms, making
sure the patient has the appropriate social support after discharge, and increase open discussions
regarding medical care. This paper serves to illustrate the importance of spirituality in health
assessment and overall patient care from both the perspective of the nurse and the client and how
to implement spirituality into one’s care plan.
Personal Views of the Interviewer on Spirituality and Religion
In order for a nurse to provide proper care for a patient and to understand another
individual’s spirituality they must first have an understanding of their own personal spirituality
and spiritual practices. The author identifies as a Christian with regards to her religion and her
spirituality allows her to express her personal beliefs regarding her religion. John 15:12 states,
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (NIV, 2011). She believes that when
implementing her religion into her practice as a nurse she can refer back to this verse and
remember to treat others with the same respect, dignity, and love and care that she would want
for herself and those that she loves because she believes everyone is loved by God and that in
turn people should love each other as He has done for humanity. The interviewer believes this
outlook will help her to better form caring relationships with patients putting their needs first and
being able to care for them not just physically but spiritually as well.
Interviewee’s Personal Views on Spirituality and Religion
After interviewing the client, she stated that she is religious and that her views most
closely align with that of Christianity. She states that she does believe in God and the healing
power of prayer. She states that with God and His love she feels that people have a purpose in
life according to God’s plan for them. The interviewee states that she often refers back to
Jeremiah 29:11 which states “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (NIV, 2011). She states
this verse serves to help her remember that God has a plan and a purpose for everyone even if
she cannot understand it and that it helps her remember her relationship with God. She also states
she often turns to prayer and her Bible to help her strengthen her relationship with God and her
spirituality.
Interviewee’s Spirituality/Religion Practice’s Impact on Healthcare
The interviewee’s religious and spiritual beliefs would have an impact on her overall
health care and nursing plan. The interviewee has a strong relationship with God and believes in
the power of prayer. She stated in difficult times she often turns to God and her Bible to find
solace and comfort. She stated in regard to her health care she would want to pray and to be able
to have a conversation with God to talk about the things that are ailing her. An article published
in the Journal of Religion and Health discusses the importance of prayer in healthcare and
patient care and states that prayer as a nursing intervention can help patients achieve peace, calm,
well-being and rest as well as help to promote recovery and healing (Green, 2018). Taking this
into consideration, the nurse can implement this into patient care by praying with the patient
upon request or allowing the patient personal time without interruptions to pray as part of their
healing process. The nurse could also allow the patient to bring their personal Bible with them to
refer back to or attempt to find the patient a copy they could use during the duration of their stay.
Another component would encompass the idea of “spiritual care” which could come in terms of
a Chaplin who can help provide non-denominational prayer in times of stress or worry to help
provide relief or comfort (Sheldrake, 2010).
Summary
Spiritual assessment is important to consider in a patient’s care plan in order to care for
them both physically as well as mentally. Understanding a patient’s spiritual needs is important
for developing an appropriate care plan that works specifically for them in order to promote
healing. Assessing one’s own spiritual or religious beliefs can help nurses connect with their
patients in order to help provide the best care dependent on the specific patient and their
individual needs rather than to create potential bias. At the end of the day, appropriately
understanding a client’s spirituality or religious beliefs helps to accurately provide for the
patient.
References
Bible Gateway passage: Jeremiah 29:11 - New International Version (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29%3A11&version=NIV
Bible Gateway passage: John 15:12 - New International Version. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A12&version=NIV
Green, C. A. (2018). Complimentary Care: When Our Patients Request to Pray. Journal of
Religion & Health, 57(3), 1179–1182. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s10943-
018-0599-x
Jarvis, C. (2016). Physical examination & health assessment. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Sheldrake, P. (2010). Spirituality and Healthcare, Practical Theology, 3:3, 367-379, DOI:
10.1558/prth.v3i3.367

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Running head: SPIRITUALITY IN HEALTH ASSESSMENT 1

Spirituality in Health Assessment

Grand Canyon University: NSG 316 Health Assessment

Spirituality in Health Assessment

of cultural assessment is comprised of spirituality which is a broad term to define a connection to

to implement spirituality into one’s care plan.

Personal Views of the Interviewer on Spirituality and Religion

Interviewee’s Personal Views on Spirituality and Religion

Interviewee’s Spirituality/Religion Practice’s Impact on Healthcare

provide relief or comfort (Sheldrake, 2010).

Religion & Health, 57(3), 1179–1182. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s10943-

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