The Spiritual Care card provides quick reference on spiritual care and includes basic screening questions and interventions. It is a "tented" card with four-sides of content. See below for what information is on the card. They are available for purchase from the NCF Store.
Purchase Spiritual Care Cards
SPIRITUAL CARE (SC) ASSUMPTIONS
- People are integrated bio-psycho-social-spiritual beings, made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) for relationship with God (John 3:16).
- SC is caring for the spirit, supporting vertical (i.e., with God/Jesus), horizontal (others), and inner (ourselves) relationships.
- SC can involve religion but is broader than religious care.
- Spiritual screening, history, and SC are part of every nurse’s practice.
- Nurses should not offer SC that exceeds their competency.
- In-depth SC (i.e., full assessment, complex intervention) is the domain of SC experts (chaplains, clergy, spiritual directors).
ALWAYS...
- Tune in to God -- talk with God as you care for patients; ask the Holy Spirit to guide your spiritual care (SC).
- Begin with careful listening as you screen for spiritual needs.
- Respond to the patient’s needs, requests, decisions for SC.
- Respect patient views.
- If you are unsure of what to say or do, seek/refer to expert help (chaplain, clergy, spiritual director).
- Remember... SC is a work of God’s grace and care; receive his loving favor.
PREPARE FOR SPIRITUAL CARE (SC)
- Recognize you too are a spiritual being; nurture your spirit, seek hope, meaning, love, relationships, connections, forgiveness.
- Actively cultivate a living relationship with God through prayer, worship, fellowship with others; dig into Bible study.
- Ask God to help you be spiritually fresh, spiritually aware.
- Be open-hearted towards patients with diverse ways of experiencing God.
- Be familiar with a variety of faith traditions and belief systems.
SPIRITUAL CARE (SC) INTERVENTIONS
- Be fully “with” the person; focus on connecting
- Respond reflectively; use affirming words/questions, caring touch
- Listen deeply
- Offer prayer as person desires
- Refer to SC expert
SPIRITUAL SCREENING/HISTORY
- Who or what provides you with strength and hope?
- What beliefs or practices influence how you care for yourself?
- Are there activities--spiritual or otherwise--you find helpful (prayer, reflection, music, reading)? How can I help you with these activities
- Would you like a visit from a chaplain or your clergy?
- Use your organization’s and other (HOPE, FICA) screening tools.
- Observe for cues of spiritual distress – quiet, anxious, angry, afraid...
