Embedding spiritual care into everyday nursing practice

This article explains how patients’ spiritual needs can be embedded into everyday nursing practice, rather than being seen as an additional task for nurses to undertake. It outlines an integrated person model of care, which involves the nurse using the unique contact involved in providing physical care to meet the patient's spiritual needs. In addition, nurses can use the principles of therapeutic relationships such as empathy and providing a non-judgemental presence to support spiritual care, as well as respecting patients' dignity and individuality. This article also describes techniques for discussing spirituality with patients, and explains how touch can be a useful therapeutic intervention that can enhance patients' spiritual well being.