Spiritual care: A phenomenologic study of critical care nurses

Objectives rpose of this study was to describe critical care nurses’ lived experience of providing spiritual care to critically ill patients and their families. udy design was phenomenologic and descriptive. s rposive sample consisted of 10 critical care nurses with experience providing spiritual care to critically ill patients or their families. Each nurse participated in an audiotaped interview. Colaizzi’s method guided data analysis. s emes emerged: (1) meanings of spirituality, (2) out of tragedy: spiritual awakening, (3) mutual knowing: a bridge to spiritual assessment, (4) the everydayish-ness of spiritual care, (5) prayer and beyond: letting go to the mystical, and (6) spiritual caring: from suffering to blessing. sions al care nurses’ experiences of providing spiritual care emerged as integral and inseparable behaviors imbedded in the everyday nursing care of others. Critical care nurses experienced heightened awareness and responsiveness to patient and family spiritual need during life-threatening situations. Providing spiritual care held significant meaning for these critical care nurses that resulted in professional satisfaction.