| Learning Objective #1: Describe the process of spiritual care-giving in Parish Nursing practice | |||
| Learning Objective #2: List actions and outcomes that are experienced in spiritual care-giving by Parish Nurses |
Objective: to develop a substantive theory to explain the process parish or health ministry nurses (PN’s) use to provide spiritual care to people under their care. Design: A grounded theory approach was used to explore and describe the processes PN’s experience and use as they give spiritual care to patients/parishioners. Population/Sample: Nine American RN’s participated in this research. Each took a basic PN course and worked as a PN for at least one year in a Christian church. Three had academic preparation beyond the BSN level and three had some formal theological education. Most were employed part-time and received a salary. Methods/Setting: Data were collected by means of tape recorded, transcribed interviews of the PN’s who described multiple incidents of spiritual care of individuals and families. Caregiving occurred in patient homes, churches and hospitals. Findings: The theory emerged from a core category: “Bringing God Near” (BGN). The essence of the spiritual care giving process for PN’s, BGN is what nurses do as they assess spiritual needs and concerns of the patient and family and address these concerns in appropriate ways. BGN begins with the PN’s focus on facilitating integration of body, mind, and spirit as part of the healing process. Stages in the process include: trusting God, forming relationships with the patient/family, opening to God, taking action and experiencing results. Conclusions: BGN reveals that spiritual care giving is a unique way nurses care. The person of the PN is one way for God’s healing love and care to be offered to the patient. The PN’s spiritual challenge is to respond to what God is directing the nurse to be and do with the patient/family. Implications: PN’s and faculty who prepare PN’s will find this theory useful as a guide for curriculum content and practice of skills for this role.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003