Topic > Nursing and Holistic Care: A Florence Nightingale Perspective should provide holistic care considering a person's biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects. The Psalmist in the Bible says, 'I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and this my soul knows well” (Psalm 139:14). And a nurse who believes that every man is God's creation will practice and care for patients with awe and reverence. By failing to inspect and understand the various components of the personality, a nurse cannot provide holistic care. In the world of nursing, the term “spirituality” can create confusion or misunderstanding because there is a lack of clarity and consistency as to what is meant by spiritual care. And particular problems arise when a nurse, who holds a certain religion or faith, wishes to administer spiritual care to patients who do or do not share this faith. Nurses' spirituality/religiosity has a great impact on nursing practice, as evidence shows. Studies show that nurses who are religious and/or practice their religious faith are able to manage work-related stress better than nurses who do not. But the question is: how can a nurse who supports and works within one faith (e.g. Christianity) offer spiritual care to those who hold different beliefs? So the purpose of this article is to study how a Christian nurse can offer this ideal of spiritual care to patients. It will identify some definitions of the term and the implications for nurses in terms of providing spiritual care and discuss the challenge faced by a nurse who holds a personal Christian faith and who wishes to administer this type of care. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayDefinition of Spiritual CareEvidence shows that nurses who have religious beliefs and practices (e.g. prayer) are better equipped to deal with stress, comforted by the presence of suffering. Those nurses said they felt protected and guided through difficult circumstances. And those nurses reported less burnout and greater job satisfaction, not surprisingly (Chayu & Kreitler, 2011). A study by Swinton & Narayansamy (2002) states that nursing practice should include spirituality, however complex. Nurses must understand that this aspect of care is critical to the patient and nursing integrity. This definition notes the separation of spirituality from religion and God, giving the term "spirituality" a more universal appeal. Therefore the goal in defining spirituality is to include all faiths and religions rather than to find truth or achieve accuracy. Nursing codes of ethics state that nurses should never proselytize or introduce their religion at the bedside. Van Loon (2005) strongly criticizes overt and verbal proselytism for its unethical nature, he proposes the adage of Saint Francis of Assisi: 'Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words'. According to Cusveller (1998), the tension between professionalism and spirituality in nursing exists because “evidence-based practice” and professionalism are understood as synonymous. And a nurse who wishes to practice the profession professionally may tread on landmines of political incorrectness andof insensitivity. In an effort to become more professional, nursing practice has abandoned spiritual heritage in favor of scientific evidence. Opponents of spiritual care go further and discourage nurses from praying with their patients. Balboni et al. (2011) found that nurses were more likely to believe that praying with patients was appropriate than doctors and patients, even though they knew that prayer was initiated depending on the circumstances. The study states that nurses should not force patients to accept spiritual values or beliefs and thus cross jurisdictional boundaries. Henderson (1977) suggested that the nurse's duty is to help patients worship and practice their faith or religion. While this belief in God is natural and central to the nurse's life, assuming that others are the same is inappropriate and repugnant. And if the nurse fails to achieve nursing, she will not be able to avoid being labeled as narrow-minded and judgmental in her worldview and attitude. McSherry (2000) suggests that the nurse adopts an attitude of understanding, tolerance and inclusion. He defined spirituality as gaining a true understanding of people's different orientations and championing this "tapestry" of beliefs and faiths. Therefore, his view assumes that all spiritual beliefs and practices are useful. Kevern (2012) recognized that nurses are afraid of violating the nursing code of ethics and being politically incorrect while providing spiritual care. So, to address this concern, they prefer to avoid patients' spiritual concern and offer referrals to a pastor or clergy, even though nurses can be helpful in addressing patients' spiritual concerns simply by having a conversation. Kevern (2012) states that nurses are nothing more than spiritual chameleons who do this. Not. Taken. Anyone. beliefs. From. They. own or not believe that they are useful to someone else. So how can the nurse adopt this all-encompassing and tolerant view of spirituality? For example, a believer in the Christian God understands that God is spirit and that the universe is created and given life by God. Therefore, humanity's spirituality is literally inspired by God. Christian Nurse A Christian nurse responsible for caring for the spiritual needs may feel burdened and pulled in various directions. He may want his patients to know Jesus Christ and enter into a relationship with God, find answers to spiritual needs. However, you may fear that this approach will not be acceptable to your colleagues, if not frowned upon. In the context of a relationship with a professional client, even a simple discussion of one's spiritual beliefs can be seen as narrow-minded, even an abuse of position to win them over. So you can face problematic situations even with the purest intentions. Thus the Christian nurse who takes a stand on spiritual care in the nursing profession's ambivalent field toward spiritual care may face hostility for sharing personal faith. All followers of Christ are called to preach the Gospel in word and deed. And the Christian nurse desires to fulfill the higher calling and responds to the final assignment. However, can you use your profession to share your Christian faith? A believer in God through Jesus Christ experiences freedom and wholeness. So the Christian nurse who has genuine compassion toward her patients wants them to come to know God so that their spiritual suffering can be alleviated. The nurse shouldbe condemned for evangelism and proselytism and should be asked to avoid all spirituality and save spiritual discourse for other occasions or circumstances? The apostle Paul said, “In [God] we live and move and have our being” (Acts, chapter 17). , v.28). The life of a Christian is driven to be in relationship with God. The very purpose for which every man is created is to be in unison and harmony with God. And with the lack of communion with God, he experiences spiritual discomfort and insulation. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst" (John 6:35). Jesus called his believers into a relationship, that he is the branch and believers are branches that grow from the vine. It is only through our abiding in Him, attachment to Him, close relationship with Him - that any growth or divine works is produced. As Paul writes in Romans 11:16, "If the root is holy, so are the branches. Righteousness, works, and holiness come to Christians only through their connection with Jesus." The Bible verses clearly state that the spiritual needs can only be met by God. And this has enormous implications for nurses who know and follow God. Shelley and Fish (1989) state: “A nurse can be a channel for expressing to the patient God's offer of meaning and purpose, love, relationship, and forgiveness. Understanding these factors is critical to caring for patients as whole people. (p. 40)” In Christianity, salvation brings true healing to the soul and mind. So can the Christian nurse feel responsible to share and lead those under her care to salvation, so that they can find relief from mental and spiritual distress into wholeness and health? Christian maturity The apostle Peter writes in a letter to Corinth: “In your hearts honor Christ the holy Lord, always ready to defend to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you; but do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter, chapter 3, v. 15). In providing spiritual care, the nurse can communicate with the patient through listening, humility, empathy and commitment. Through these methods, Shelley and Fish (1998) state that the nurse can relate to the patient as person to person, uniting in holy communion. Nurses are called to give hope and be a channel of integrity and salvation through God. The presentation of the Gospel must be achieved through the integrity of the nurse's actions and words (Bradshaw, 1994). Bradshaw states that “this is not done emphatically through words, but through the skill and sensitivity of his actions; that all nursing procedures, techniques and interventions... are carried out completely and in the same spirit of life. (p.326)” Person-to-person interaction is an integral part of nurturing the human spirit, and action can have a greater impact than mere words. For example, one patient described how she felt dehumanized and objectified when a nurse bathed her. But another nurse washed her in such a way that she felt cared for, appreciated and loved. The second nurse not only washed this patient but also nourished her spirit. By investing in precious assets such as time and self, the Christian nurse can build a relationship of mutual trust and respect with patients. And this true communion of the whole person with the whole person will help the nurse achieve effective spiritual care. However, the Christian nurse cannot be responsible for the patient's eternal salvation. The Christian nurse should understand the clear distinction between the Gospel and his or her own interpretation of it. Furthermore, the culture and environment in which the nurse is located can also influence the message of the.
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