Providing spiritual care a nurse understands the holistic approach to patient care by recognizing that the human being consist of the body, the mind, and the spirit.

This approach takes in account the physical, mental and spiritual health of all individuals who are seeking care. When we provide spiritual care we realize that the patient is a complex human being with emotions and fears that are developed from their specific world view.

Being sensitive to spiritual needs requires humanity to understand that every patient comes from different cultures, religions, ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds. Spiritual care therefore is acknowledging and supporting religious beliefs using respect and attempting to make their spiritual wishes a reality.

Providing a Latter Day Saint patient with the opportunity to receive a priesthood blessing (prayer) in times of need and having the consecrated oil available at our facility is one way we provide spiritual care.

The reading focused on spirituality as ones beliefs, values, relationships, and practices from a world viewpoint that helps shape their decisions. The reshaping the medical science world to adapt or mix with this world of spirituality can be difficult.

My view of spirituality and that of the reading are similar except that I focus on religion as part of spirituality because I am an intensely religious person. I believe that God has a plan for all of us and that we are instruments in his hands. That being said I understand that more and more people are less formally religious and it is important to broaden the idea of spirituality to include the values and beliefs of those who are less formally aware of their spirituality.