Preparation to Care: The Spiritual Care Education of Oncology and Hospice Nurses

Abstract

PURPOSE. To identify the formal and experiential spiritual care preparation of oncology and hospice nurses. METHODS. Descriptive and content analyses were used to examine Spiritual Care Perspectives Scale (SCPS) data from Oncology Nursing Society clinician members (n = 181) and Hospice Nursing Association members (n = 645). FINDINGS. More hospice than oncology nurses received spiritual care education and perceived their education as adequate. Patient encounters enhanced nurse spirituality and were positively related to caregiving. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE. While findings raise many questions for educators and researchers about both current and future spiritual education and caregiving, the influence o f patients on these nurses also brings to light the significant rewards that come from working with the seriously ill.