ELECTIVE I: SPIRITUAL CARE NURSING

Course Code : Elec I

Course Description: The course deals with the history, philosophy, theories, principles, process,
modes and interventions of spiritual care. Emphasis is made on the process of spiritual formation and
the role of nurses in providing spiritual care.
Course Credit : 2 units lecture
Contact Hours/sem 36 hours lecture
Pre-requisite : None
Placement : 4th year, 1st semester
Course Objectives:
Given relevant situations/conditions, the student will be able to:
1. Apply principles, theories and strategies of spiritual care in understanding the spiritual needs of the
clients.
2. Demonstrate traits and characteristics that reflects the holistic development of a nurse.
Course Outline :
1. History of Spiritual Care in Nursing
1.1 Pre-Christian Era
1.3. Post-Reformation Era
1.2 Christian Era
2. The Nature of Spirituality
3. The Spiritual Need Distinction between Spiritual Needs and Psychosocial Needs
3.2 Clarifying Spiritual Needs in Terms of Three Dimensions
3.2.1 Physical or Biological Dimension
3.2.3 Spiritual Dimensions
3.2.2 Psychosocial Dimensions
4. How Nursing Today View Spiritual Care
5.1 For a long time, spiritual care was frankly Religious functions and Intervention limited (at least
officially) to calling the hospital chaplain
5.2 1960-1970 - a growing interest in the spiritual, psychosocial
and Emotional aspects of nursing care
4.3 1971 - The nurse ministering to the whole person
4.4 Spiritual Care- a natural part of total care which fits easily into the nursing process (e.g Spiritual
Assessment and care)
6. Concepts, theories and applications in the care of the human Spirit
5.1. Virginia Henderson
5.4 Betty Newman
5.2 Faye Abdellah
5.5 Parse, Peterson and Zderad
5.3 Joyce Travelbee
5.6 Jean Watson
6. Ethics in Spiritual Care Nursing
7. The Nurses Role in Spiritual Care
7.1 Nurses Spirituality
Understanding own and the degree to which ones spiritual needs are being met
Resolving ones spiritual concerns and distress
7.2 Recognizing the nurses own limitations
7.3 Mobilising the patients spiritual resources and patients expressed needs
7.4 Developing a relationship of trust between the nurse and the patient
7.5 Awareness and respect of the patients culture, social and spiritual preferences
7.6 Referral or utilise members of the team is as important for spiritual care as it is for other aspects
of care
7.7 Documenting spiritual care
8. Patients Needing Spiritual care
8.1 Patient with acute illness
8.5. Dying and Bereavement
8.2 Chronically Ill Patient
8.6 During disasters
8.3 Children and Families
8.7 During emergencies
8.4 Older Adult

9. Personal Spiritual Development: Theological Reflection

10. Meeting the Challenge
10.1 The therapeutic use of the self in meeting the needs of the human spirit:
The need for love and relatedness, meaning and purpose and hope
10.2 Attending on going education courses and workshops dealing with spiritual care in nursing,
reading relevant literatures, interacting with colleagues, liaising with hospital chaplains.