| This phenomenological qualitative study describes experiences and beliefs of registered nurses (RNs) providing spiritual care in a 16 bed intensive care unit (ICU) part of a mid-size acute care community hospital. The basis for the thesis research were two previous studies that considered delivery of spiritual care by different caregivers (Bush & Bruni, 2008; Burkhart & Hogan, 2008). Through phone interviews 17 RNs responded to eleven questions regarding how they individually defined the term spiritual care, and how they delivered spiritual care in the ICU to critically ill clients and their families. The data was analyzed utilizing Giorgi's method.;The results of the study revealed each RN delivers spiritual care based on his or her own interpretation. There was no consensus in the definition of spiritual care. Most RNs in this study agreed that spiritual care should occur with patients who experience traumatic illness or who are actively dying. |
