Publication Date
Spring 4-22-2013
School
College of Arts and Sciences
Major
Nursing (B.S.N.)
Primary Subject Area
Health Sciences, Nursing
Keywords
Holistic Care, Spiritual Care, Nursing
Disciplines
Nursing
Recommended Citation
Gore, Jessika D., "Providing Holistic and Spiritual Nursing Care" (2013). Senior Honors Theses. 370.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/370
Abstract
Holistic nursing is care of the whole person, which addresses physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational aspects of health. Historically, nursing has always integrated these aspects into providing care. Nursing developed out of religious orders and was predominantly a way to serve God by serving the poor and the sick. Florence Nightingale believed that nursing was her calling from God and her faith and spirituality influenced every aspect of her care. Nurses today are often fearful of addressing the spiritual needs of their patients, despite research that demonstrates the importance of providing care in these areas. Nurses can use interventions such as prayer, Scripture, active listening and presence, as well as referral to meet the spiritual needs of their patients.
