Perception of spirituality and spiritual care as a predictor of spiritual care competencies in nursing students

Abstract

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to research nursing students' the perceptions of spirituality, spiritual care, and spiritual care competencies in providing spiritual care. Respondents were 456 nursing students. Study instruments were: a questionnaire on the general characteristics of the respondents, Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS), and Spiritual Care Competency Scale (SCCS). The results showed a high level of perception of spirituality, spiritual care, and spiritual care competency in nursing students. There are differences according to gender, age, high school education, work experience, religious affiliation, religious practice, competence in spiritual care assessment. The results of the regression analysis showed that spirituality and spiritual care are significant predictors of spiritual care competencies.