Understanding the role of spirituality in providing person-centred care

An awareness of the concept of spirituality is integral to the provision of person-centred holistic care. However, the nurse’s ability to provide spiritual care is often impeded by time pressures and the prioritisation of clinical tasks. Confusion about the meaning of spirituality and its relationship to religion may also compound the challenges involved in providing spiritual care, and nurses often feel ill-equipped to address this area of care. This article discusses the challenges associated with the concept of spirituality, and describes the competencies and personal qualities that nurses require to achieve spiritually competent practice. It also explains the concepts of availability and vulnerability, which can support the personal development required for nurses to become spiritually competent.