Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative ethnographic study was to introduce gendered nursing education and practice in the Islamic Republic of Iran to the American nurse educators and nurses. Recent interest in the concepts of faith healing has opened the door for discussion of faith and spirituality among the U.S. population. In fact, some scholars have identified an intellectual hunger among young Americans in search of a deeper meaning in life. One area of interest is Islam, a religion that is also a form of government. In Islam, religiosity and spirituality are not distinguished. Some have believed that major religions were invented and authored by men and therefor, women’s views of faith and spirituality were left out of the holy books. Islam’s view of women has been shared by other religions referencing women’s body as the gateway to temptation, illusion and the ultimate evil. Tellingly, faith and spirituality were noted as feminine versions of God in most religions. Nurses recognize that religion, spirituality and faith are intertwined and they promote growth and healing. Patients seek forgiveness, mercy, and God’s compassion for pain reduction. They pray and find relief by faith.
Methodology: An increase in spiritual awareness in the health care professions was the focus of this qualitative ethnographic research. States of cross-cultural pathways and patterns of contemplation, reflection, and orientation were included. Many of the multidimensional human experiences of spirituality were examined. A group of male and female nursing students and faculty in Iran were interviewed. The power of religious beliefs among nurses in the Islamic Republic of Iran was explored.
Results: Researcher found that spirituality was instrumental to discovery of human potential for healing. Spiritual pathways to nursing profession were perceived significantly different by male and female participants. Triangulated thematic analysis revealed that female nurses in Iran were engaged in spiritual aspects of care and acknowledged their patients’ sense of faith. They prayed, touched, held hands, and restored body, mind and spiritual connections at each visit. Male nurses had less interest in the spiritual aspects of care or the holistic approach to care. Their masculine view of the nursing profession had a greater focus on politics, management and economic rewards than on care and compassion.
Implications for Women’s Health: Women are the largest consumers of health care and they vocalize their faith, beliefs, and spirituality more frequently than male patients do. Female nurses are more comfortable discussing spirituality and faith with their patients. The experience of spirituality includes thoughts, memories, feelings, imaginations, images, and many human emotions, which can not be explained in simple terms.
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