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Spiritual Perspectives of Nurses in the United States Relevant for Education and Practice

Department of Nursing at the College of Staten Island City University of New York

Barbara Kraynyak Luise

Department of Nursing at the College of Staten Island City University of New York

Donna Russo

St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers

Claudia Mitzeliotis

Veterans Administration New York Harbor Healthcare System

Maria Bauer

Department of Nursing at the College of Staten Island City University of New York

Mary Ann McPartlan Bajo

Neurology Unit at Staten Island University Hospital North

Carmen Calvino

Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York

Karen Horne

Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families in New York City

Judith Medefindt

Lutheran Medical Center (LMC) in Brooklyn, New York

The purpose of the current study was to describe nurses’ spiritual perspectives as they relate to education and practice. A multiple triangulation research design encompassing a questionnaire and a descriptive qualitative content analysis were used with the purpose of capturing a more complete, holistic, and contextual description of nurses’ spiritual perspectives. Multiple triangulation included two data sources, two methodological approaches, and nine investigators. Using survey methods, Reed’s Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS) was sent to 1,000 members of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society (STTI). Results support Reed’s premise that spirituality permeates one’s life. Regardless of gender, participants with a religious affiliation had significantly higher SPS scores than those without one. Nurses having a spiritual base use it in practice. Six themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: Nurses perceive spirituality as strength, guidance, connectedness, a belief system, as promoting health, and supporting practice. The integration of spirituality in nursing curriculums can facilitate spiritual care.

Key Words: spirituality • religion • spiritual care • multiple triangulation

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