NUR1020 Spirituality

pre christian era: caring for sick = hospitability, charity, praying for god(s) for healing

early christian era: nurses respcted as one of christ's primart teachings

post reformation period: nursing orders continue to flourish, nightingale s. as very heart of human nature


midst 20th century: spiritual care seen as less important-> more science

today: today s. is of serious concern for nurses

religion (the map): believes, values, rituals, norms, answers, self image , identity

spirituality: one's journey, dynamic relationship self, others, ....lifelong process of growth

eastern: being aware, sensitive to reality

western:  see signs of a higher spirit

-> most people are satisfied with their belief, support their healing (not convert)

--> if distress, refer to specialist

faith, hope, love

• faith: purpose of being, faithstruggles might feel anger, guilt, selfjudgement
• , worthlessness

hope: achieve, create, shape something of our life-> purpose


love: often seen as a trade, can cause suffering, death limits time of lovers staying together

do not give false hope nor say healing is impossible

healing does not have to imply the end of illness and all suffering

a miracle is anything that allows for the presence of a higher being/ god/ angel-> see god at work (does not necessarily involve physical cure)

• -> spiritual phenomena
• ->mysterious
• -> difficult to define

the higher religious involvements the longer the life statistically

also increased pain tolerance, decreased depression, and anxiety

• be open
• nonjudgemental
• how does religious influence affect patient's healing?

• one of the oldest religions
• Torah
• charity and tolerance
• orthodox, liberal, conservative, reconstructionist
• sabbath from sunset friday to sunset saturday (no work for orthodox)
• kosher foods, no pork, no combination of dairy and meat
• women prefer t have their body and limbs covered
• circumsisions

• sacraments
• last rites ...

• rely more on god regarding healing then on medical treatment
• no alcohol or tobbacco
• probably no blood transfusion
• usually do not donate or receive organs

• do not want blood transfusion
• , also no organs when blood is involved.
• no celebration of birthdays and holidays, no tobacco or other recreational drugs
• may drink alcohol (but not being drunk)

• = book of mormon
• strict health code
• no tea,coffee, alcohol, tobacco
• sacred undergarment (private and treated with respect)

• saturday the day of rest
• diet, health, conservative principles (no tattoos, piercings,...)
• no pork, shellfish, unclean foods
• no caffeine, tobacco, drugs,
• anti abortion
• birth control permitted for married couples

• koran
• one god, worship and obeye
• no pork
• ramadan needen drugs are allowed
• always wash hands before eating
• free flowing water
• women with female staff
• never remove writing around neck
• usually no organ transplant, abortion, and contraception

• outgrow of Islam
• alcohol not permitted

• oldest religion-> no single belief or practice
• several or hundreds of gods
• ayurvedic medicine: diet, sleep, elimination, hygiene, hot and cold foods, most lactovegetarians (milk but no eggs), fasting is common (only pure foods),
• free flowing water prefered
• prefer female staff
• sometimes sacred threat-> do not cut or remove

• combines Hinduism and Islam
• mystical branch of Islam
• one god
• meditation
• strict vegetarians
• alcohol, tobacco forbidden

• not a god but a way of life
• liberation from suffering
• eightfold path: right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, contemplation
• nirvana = heaven
• vegetarian, typically no abortion

• earth as living organism
• body of higher individual
• when earth is harmed human kind is harmed
• health as a state of harmony with nature
• medicine man, often believed to be the better healthcare professional
• often treated with disrespect by healthcare workers
• do not take notes-> use memory to record findings later
• long periods of silence in conversation common
• impolite to say you did not hear patient-> use quit setting

personal dignity and love to god

• old and new testament of bible
• no pork, shellfish,
• no second hand clothing
• may be anxious about blood transfusion (contamination?)