If spiritual needs are accurately assessed and documented all staff will be encouraged to see that care is provided. Members of the team who for some reason, do not feel comfortable about providing that care themselves, will be able to use referral. Thus spiritual care can be a natural part of holistic care. Our primary goal in spiritual care is to mobilise the patients spiritual resources Nursing staff should be aware that spiritual care is not an attempt to proselytise or win converts to a particular point of view. Rather, it is responding to a patient's expressed needs.
Interventions are by their request or permission.
Spiritual assessment and care should be sensitive and based on a relationship of trust between patient and nurse. It will involve awareness of the person's culture, social and spiritual preferences, as well as a respect for their beliefs and religious practices.1 Recognising our own limitations and knowing when to make a referral, or utilise other members of the team is as important for spiritual care as it is for other aspects of care. The importance of documenting spiritual care in nursing plans must be recognised, since this will ensure that care is systematic, well thought out, and consistent. First I think we need to consider the myriad of personal resources nurses use in their day to day work. Many nursing interventions already provide a degree of spiritual support.