Recognizing and Assessing a Patient Spiritual Needs

For nurses, the path taken in self-exploration should ultimately lead to the patient. During client assessment, it is common and comfortable for nurses to dwell on the physical component. But, patients are not only biological but also psychological and spiritual. A nurse should approach the patient not only for the illness that has brought them to the hospital but approach them on how they are feeling regarding being institutionalize. Also, questioning a patient how has their illness affected them emotionally and spiritually. Just a nurse questions their own spiritual needs, a nurse must question a patient’s spiritual needs. Questions such as: do they see themselves as religious, do they have any beliefs that are incorporated into their life style, or are there any desires that need to be met while they are in the hospital? Beckman et al. (2010) stated that, “if one believes that spirituality permeates all aspects of the client and facilitates a better understanding of the connection of body, mind, and spirit, and then it is seemingly impossible not to be in contact with the client's spirituality” (p.138). Many nurses need to recognize the spiritual needs of patient, because patients use their faith in a supreme being to cope with their illness or that having their room fitted with amenities that are significant to them. When a patient is having a discussion with a nurse regarding spiritual needs, a nurse should always maintain eye contact (if religiously accepted), be at eye level with the patient and always maintain a non-judgmental and open mind. These few gestures will help the patient feel more at ease and comfortable with discussing further conversations such as their spiritually. At times nurses may find it difficult to assess a patient for spiritual needs depending on units they are on. Maternity, psychology and out patient clinics are to mention a few, though there may be some incidents where emotional and spiritual support is needed. Spirituality is often called upon more by patients during times of extreme life-changing events and crises. Oncology, ICU, and surgical floors are where many nurses may see the need for emotional and spiritual support. These are times when patients are most vulnerable, questioning life and God. Patients first diagnosed with a terminal cancer question why this is happening to them or that there is no God because if there were then they wouldn’t have cancer.