Faith Integration and Spiritual Care in Nursing

A Pragmatic Utility Analysis

Abstract

Although the nursing profession in the West is founded on Judeo-Christian religious principles, the evolution of scholarship has led to the separation of religion from patient-centered spiritual care. This raises questions about what spiritual care is from a Judeo-Christian nursing worldview and how it is practiced from the faith-based perspective of Christian nurses. This study uses a pragmatic utility analysis to explore these two analytic questions. A systematic search of academic databases yielded a sample of literature specifically focused on integrating and applying the Christian faith to spiritual care. These data were synthesized to identify definitions, descriptions, antecedents, attributes, and outcomes related to spiritual care from a faith-based nursing perspective. Findings revealed that spiritual care for the Christian nurse is predicated on a vital faith and prerequisite knowledge of God as the creator of the universe. Integration of faith into the task of doing spiritual care is embodied by the nurse, evidenced by authentic relationships, prayer, and modeling faith, hope, and love empowered by the Holy Spirit. Christian nurses aim to build therapeutic relationships with patients that exemplify Christ in the temporal realm while trusting by faith that God alone can effect ultimate healing and wholeness through eternal salvation.