Learning spiritual nursing in Diaconia University of Applied Sciences

Background

The International Council of the Nurses' Code of Ethics for Nurses recognizes that that professional nurses are responsible for holistic care in which the spiritual beliefs of the clients' are respected. In holistic care the important questions is? Does spirituality have a use that can be turned to value in health? This approach was addressed curricular guideline in Diaconia University in 2015. The aim of this paper is to describe the nurse and public health nursing students (N = 32), experiences of learning outcomes in the course Spiritual Nursing in Clinical Practice during, 3 credits 2016.

Study unit evaluation questions 

1. Explain how you consider this study unit relevant to you personally and to you nursing care? 
2. Explain how the various models of teaching helped you to learn on spiritual care? 
3. Comments and suggestions on the overall organization of the study unit.

The data was collected students' written document and analyzed by content analysis.

Results and conclusion

The knowledge of spirituality helped students to identify the impact of illness on the patient's life and spiritual sensitivity. The course helped to reflect spiritual side of being a nurse, and not only on the physical care. Some students mentioned the JBI articles expanded view of nursing. Some students felt the palliative and end-of-life care course was hard to cope before this course, but now they have more keys being attend, to support and listen to patient's needs. The case studies/acting, painting, small group discussions and writings supported to achieve learning outcomes. The role of the teacher was mentioned important as he/she leads the students to the sources of information so that they can build their own opinions and knowledge of spirituality. The results confirm the need for teaching spiritual needs of clients in illness, guidance and overall health promotion.