Spirituality and nursing care in the media
Recent headlines have raised questions about the overall quality of nursing care provided in some National Health Service (NHS) organisations and the appropriateness of nurses providing spiritual care to patients.
In 2009 the relationship and role of spirituality and religion within nursing practice was brought to the profession’s attention. The following cases are examples of some of the headlines:
BBC News (1 February 2009) Nurse suspended for prayer offer
BBC News (20 September 2009) Row over nurse wearing crucifix
BBC News (28 June 2009) Doctors want right to talk faith
These headlines highlight some important issues around the role of religious beliefs and spirituality within the health care professions. They also raise some fundamental questions about the role of nurses in supporting patients and clients in meeting their religious and spiritual needs, and the relationship between personal belief and professional practice.
Move to the next page: RCN Spirituality survey