Spiritual Care: Determining the Need, Providing the Care

Abstract

Watson’s theory of human caring was the conceptual framework that underpinned this study. Nurses understand the importance of spiritual care and consider spirituality important when caring for patients; however, minimal education in spiritual care is provided. Although nurses recognize the need to provide spiritual care to patients, many do not feel that they received educational courses to prepare and support them in providing spiritual care. Health care educators and nurse leaders may use the study findings to develop resources to increase nurses’ perceptions of spiritual care that may ultimately impact nurse–patient, nurse–leadership performance satisfaction, and work relationships.