spirituality in nursing

SPIRITUALITY IN

NURSING

COL. ESTELITA T. GALUTIRA, MANNational President

Mother and Child NursesAssociation of the Philippines

SPIRITUALITY?

Relationship

With one’s selfWith othersWith a higher power or divine

source

RelationshipRelationship

SPIRITUALITY?

Does not refer to a specific religious affiliation

RATHER

It can be defined as the core of a person

SPIRITUALITY?

Development is an ongoing and lifelong process

FOWLER’S STAGES OF FAITH

Infant

Undifferentiated Faith

Trust, hope and love compete with environmental

inconsistencies or threats of abandonment

Toddler

Preschool

Intuitive – Projective Faith

Imitates parental behaviors and attitudes about religion

and spirituality

Has no real understanding of spiritual concepts

School Age Child

Mythical – Literal Faith

Accepts existence of a deity.

Religious and moral beliefs are

symbolized by stories.

Appreciate others viewpoints.

Accepts concepts of reciprocal fairness.

Adolescent

Synthetic – Conventional Faith

Questions values and religious beliefs in an attempt to form own

identity

Late Adolescent and Young Adult

Individuative – Reflective Faith

Assumes responsibility for own attitudes and beliefs

AdultsConjunctive Faith

Integrate other perspective about

faith into own definition of truth

Universalizing Faith

Makes concepts of love and justice

tangible

Spiritual Dimension

Characterized by a sense of personal meaning

Spirit is derived from the Latin word meaning breath, air,

and wind.

Thus spirit refers to whatever gives life

to a person

The Florence Nightingale Pledge

I solemnly pledge myself before GOD and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully.

I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.

I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.With loyalty will I endeavor to work closely with the health team, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.

GOD’S REPRESENTATIVE IN NURSING

Nursing is a calling from GOD to serve him

in society and to be what he wants us to be in the situation

where HE has placed us

What kind of representatives does GOD wants us to be?

1. Matthew 5:1-16 Sermon on the Mount

POOR IN SPIRIT

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of

GOD

Acknowledgement of spiritual poverty

leads to total dependence in GOD

MEEKNESS

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

Humble spirit may mean doing what is

generally considered the lowly and humble

jobs.Gentle in dealing with

people.

Meekness is not weakness.

MERCIFUL

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.

Having the ability to forgive those who have wronged us

The twin sister of mercy is compassion

Compassion is the ability to enter into

experiences of people who are suffering and

in pain

PURE IN HEART

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see GOD.

Inward purity and sincerity

PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the

kingdom of heaven

In the face of persecution, we are

not to compromise or run away from the

situation but respond with wisdom,

strength and a Christ-like manner

SALT OF THE EARTH

Let our conversation and our life be always with grace, seasoned

with salt.

GOD has put us in nursing to hinder the

process of the deterioration of

standards and values

Maintain a high level of professional

standard

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

May we, as GOD’s representative in nursing possess a Christ-like inward character with

an outward influence

Light dispels darkness

Radiate spiritual light to dispel

spiritual darkness

Light also means good works to be

seen by men.


2. COMMITTED

We believe and value what we do as nurses

Pledge to take our responsibilities with whole-

hearted devotion and dedication until the patient

regains normal health


3. Faithfulness or Fidelity

Keeping up promises

Faithful to the word caring.


4. Altruism (A man for others)

Do all power to maintain and elevate the standards of nursing

profession.


5. Confidentiality

Hold in confidence all personal

matter

Bill of Rights

Health Records must be kept

private


6. Loyalty

CHRISTIAN VALUES IN NURSING

The Value of Man

Christian beliefs form the basis for Christian values

What we believe in

is what we value

Believe that man is created in the image of GOD -Genesis 1:27

“Means that man has worth and

honor in the eyes of God.”

Do we see our patients as men and women of value and

worth?

If we do…

Challenge to consider each patient as

individual, to give personalized care and see to the needs of the

whole person.

Do we see them as GOD sees them – lost in sin, yet precious in

his sight??

If we do…

Will take every opportunity to tell them

of GOD’s love and provision for salvation through Christ Jesus

In other words we will give some priority to spiritual care

If we believe that man is of value then the way we care for patients

should reflect this belief

even though they may be difficult and

unpleasant to look after.


The Value of Compassion

Compassion comes from an awareness of

one’s relationship with

other human beings and

causes one to enter into the experiences of

another

Sensitive to the pain, fear and anguish of another and to go where it hurts.

Compassion is not a skill that can be mastered through training, rather, it is a personal quality arising from being one

with the human race.

The Christian nurse is in a privileged position to help people in need.

She can feel deeply for the patients,

understand their suffering, be tender-hearted and shown

mercy to those who cry for mercy.

Nursing is a caring service not a cold profession.


The Value of Service

Remind ourselves of the Christian

value of service, of being a servant.

The Lord Jesus emptied himself by taking the form of a servant…humbled himself and

became obedient into death, even death on the cross.

NURSING

Service

GOD MAN

Make ourselves available and useful

-Matthew 34:40 Golden Rule

Servant hood also teaches us to be obedient and submissive

to those who have authority over us, unless of course, it is contrary to what GOD have us

do.

Superior – subordinate relationship: “The greatest among you should be like the youngest and the one who rules like the one who

serves. (Luke 22:26)


The Value of Relationship

WORK AS A TEAM

As Christian Nurses, our behavior and conduct should contribute to

good working relationship

1.“If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live

peacefully with all.” (Romans 12:18)

2. “See that none of your repays evil, but always seek to do good to another and

to all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

“Do not avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of

GOD." (Romans 12:19)

3. Admonish the idlers, encourage the faint –

hearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”(1 Thessalonians 5:14)

4. “We are to work hastily.” (Colossians 3:25)

Working hard, being competent and maintaining a high standard of

nursing care will command trust and respect.

Uphold Christian ethics at work

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind! Then you will be

able to test and approve what GOD’s will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

(Romans 12:12)

We will only know the difference between the world’s values and

Christians values if we know what we believe. Whether or not we act

on what we believe depends on how much we value our relationship with

GOD

Uphold Christian Values in nursing because we are “a chosen people…a chosen

profession, holy – belonging to GOD that you may declare the praises of HIM who called you

out of darkness into his wonderful light.

- 1 Peter 2:9

Nurse’s Prayer

O Lord, my GOD, I dedicate myself to Thee for this great work I undertake

for Thee.

Take thou mine eyes, and teach them how to see the clearest way to nurse the sick

for Thee.

My hands, guard them, and show them how to prove how kind and gentle is a nurse’s

love

Guide thou feet, give swiftness to their

tread in answering every call from the poor sufferer’s bed.

Touch thou lips, guard thou my tongue,

uttering only words of kindness to each one.

Gird me with strength, that I may bear the

task, help me to play part in life without

fear.

And when I am a night nurse, please guide my actions, be near

my patients, and watch by my side.

O Lord, I ask thee, hear me while I pray. Be in me, through me,

and with me all the way

A M E N . . .

Thank you…

spirituality in nursing

Documents