How do New Zealand nurses consider a spiritual dimension in their work?
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Authors
Bednarek, Deborah
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Degree
Master of Nursing
Grantor
Eastern Institute of Technology
Date
2008
Supervisors
Marshall, Bob
Manhire, Kathy
Manhire, Kathy
Type
Masters Thesis
Keyword
Hawke's Bay (N.Z.)
New Zealand
registered nurses
spiritualty
spiritual care
nursing practice
Māori nurses
Pacific peoples
interviews
New Zealand
registered nurses
spiritualty
spiritual care
nursing practice
Māori nurses
Pacific peoples
interviews
Citation
Bednarek, D. S. (2009). How do New Zealand nurses consider a spiritual dimension in their work? (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing). Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), New Zealand.
Abstract
Nurses have historically engaged in care to help others. In the twenty-first century, as professionals we have our own recognised field of knowledge, research and practice, and experience increasing autonomy in various settings. A question arises for New Zealand nurses as to where we are in the discussion of spirituality and holistic practice in relation to overseas colleagues. This study is an initial description of what nurses in a provincial area of New Zealand consider in relation to a spiritual dimension in clinical work.
Ten nurses working in primary health participated in semi-structured interviews sharing what spirituality meant for them, how they related it to nursing practice and what they would suggest as appropriate preparation and support to provide spiritual care. Findings indicate that a spiritual dimension is considered part of a holistic approach to nursing. Nurses, to a varying degree dependant on individual life experience, incorporate aspects of spirituality into their work. This included a reflective self-awareness, a capacity to find meaning in situations, an understanding of the mutuality of relationships and sensitive and competent nursing practice that considered intangible and intuitive processes as part of a nurse’s complex “way of being”.
There are many facets to an understanding of spirituality and nursing, human life and health. As such it is timely that nurses, as the largest health profession and who work out of an ethos of caring for others, should discuss the relevance and significance of spirituality in nursing work. This dialogue and knowledge will enable more effective nursing work in the New Zealand context. What nurses do is complex and multidimensional. This discussion will add to nursing knowledge and practice particularly as we deepen our understanding of the depth and value of nursing and what we have to bring to the world.
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