About Spiritual Health

"Health is a large word. It embraces not the body only, but the mind and spirit as well.”  James
H. West
Spiritual needs may arise in response to an illness, injury or loss. In these types of situations,
many individuals find themselves looking for ways to find meaning, ways to express themselves,
or ways to connect to their faith or beliefs.
Attending to spiritual health is vital to overall well-being and should be considered in each
person’s health care plan.
The B.C. Ministry of Health recognizes spiritual health care as an integral part of whole person
care – care that encompasses all dimensions of a person: the spiritual, physical, mental, social
and emotional.
Spiritual health care supports people’s abilities to manage their needs, and is based on the
individual’s beliefs, values, culture, traditions, and practices.
Spiritual health care is available to patients, residents, their families and all health care staff.

Benefits of spiritual well-being on overall health

There are many benefits to health and well-being when spiritual needs are
addressed.
Some benefits include:

 Increased ability to find meaning in the midst of illness, injury and

trauma
 Increased ability to accept lived experience
 Increased ability to cope with pain, nausea and discomfort
 Improved sense of well-being 
 Improved motivation to complete the tasks of healing
 Decreased feelings of anxiety, depression and anger
 Decreased feelings of loneliness
 Decreased alcohol and drug abuse
 Decreased use of invasive technology and life-prolonging treatment at
end of life
 Greater use of palliative care at end of life 
 Shorter hospital stays
 Increased patient satisfaction
  What Is Spiritual Wellness?
 Spiritual wellness is having a set of principles, values, beliefs, and morals that give you
a sense of meaning and purpose in your life. This, and being connected to something
greater than yourself, will guide your actions through life. Spiritual wellness is one key
area that a person can focus on to improve their overall wellness. It is best to find the
approaches and techniques that work for you, as they can bring many benefits to your
life.
 Benefits of Spiritual Wellness
 Spiritual wellness is one of the eight Dimensions of Wellness, which are the main
aspects of personal health. Some of the key benefits of spiritual health include:
 1. Enhanced spiritual growth and understanding
 When we engage in spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, or simply taking a break,
we open ourselves up to new insights and perspectives about life. As a result, we may
come to see the world in a different light, and our spiritual understanding can deepen.
 2. Greater peace and calmness
 Peace of mind is a great benefit of spiritual wellness. When we connect with our
spiritual side, we can find a sense of calm and relaxation that helps us manage stress
and anxiety better.
 3. More meaningful lives
 A spiritually enriched life is often more fulfilling and purposeful than one that is not.
When we connect with our spiritual side, we may find that our passions and interests
align more closely with our spiritual values like honesty, trust, kindness, and
generosity.

4. Connection to a larger community

Along with brain exercises, physical Those who pursue spiritual wellness often connect with
others who share their spiritual values. This can create a sense of community, and support will
allow you to make friends with like-minded people and generally feel more socially
connected. This can mean attending a yoga class once or twice a week or going to a spiritual
festival once in a while. 

5. Greater physical health

People who are spiritually well also enjoy better physical health. This may be because they
have learned how to manage stress and anxiety more effectively or developed  healthier
lifestyle habits. Reduced stress and seeing improvements in your physical health can also be a
great source of motivation. Once you begin to see progress, it can give you the strength to keep
progressing towards your ultimate goals. 

6. Improved relationships

People who are spiritual have healthier and more fulfilling relationships  than those who are
not. This is likely because they are more compassionate and understanding and place a greater
value on relationships.
Help Yourself Thrive in All Aspects of Wellness
As you can see, spiritual wellness  is a key part of living a balanced, healthy life. It’s not only
about our relationship with God or the universe but about our connection to others and how we
view ourselves. Focusing on our spiritual health has a ripple effect that impacts every area of
our lives. If you haven’t given much thought to your own spiritual wellness, now is a good
time to start.

Consider what brings you peace and happiness and find ways to incorporate those things into
your life on a regular basis. What have you found to be the most helpful in terms of nurturing
your spiritual well being?

Spiritual care needs

Everyone, whether religious or not, have spiritual needs such as:

 the need to love and be loved

 the need for meaning and purpose
 the need for support and hope
 the need for dignity and respect
When faced with a life limiting illness many people welcome spiritual care especially
when:

 facing difficult questions about life and death

 searching for a meaning in their illness
 looking for help to cope with their illness and with suffering, loss, anxiety, certainty,
despair, anger and guilt
Spirituality and the person
Spirituality is about more than just our beliefs or faith. It's about who we are as
individuals, our relationships, it's what gives us meaning and purpose.

Humans are more than just a collection of cells and atoms. We are aware of the past.
We have an expectation of a future. We recognise the finite nature of our lives. It is how
we cope, how this impinges on our life, our relationships, our search for meaning or
purpose or value, which gives us a sense of spirituality. For some people spirituality will
involve religious, philosophical or humanistic beliefs and practices, which may provide
support and comfort during difficult times.
The importance of spirituality for health and wellbeing is becoming better understood.
Spiritual wellbeing enhances and integrates all other dimensions of health, including
physical, mental, emotional and social.

A person’s spirituality isn't separate from the body, the mind or material reality, for it's
their inner life. It's the practice of loving kindness, empathy and tolerance in daily life. It's
a feeling of solidarity with our fellow humans while helping to alleviate their suffering. It
brings a sense of peace, harmony and conviviality with all. It's the essence and
significance behind all moral values and virtues such as benevolence, compassion,
honesty, sympathy, respect, forgiveness, integrity, loving kindness towards strangers,
and respect for nature. Spirituality creates and connects these virtues. It's about
knowing, and experiencing deeper meaning and connection behind apparently random
events and processes such as illness and an awareness of human vulnerability.

Ways to look after your own spiritual needs

For many people, looking after their own spiritual needs will include activities that help
them reflect on their day to day experiences in a deeper way. Just as beliefs about
spirituality and religion can be different for everyone, the activities which will help people
tend to their own spirit will be personal to them. Some people will use lots of different
ways to develop spiritually over their lifetime; others may have one or two particular
things which they find most helpful. These might include:

 going for a walk, appreciating the beauty of the natural world

 making time to talk to someone you trust about important issues that may be on
your mind and in your heart
 taking part in the worship and rituals relevant to your own religious faith group
(e.g. attending a church or mosque)
 finding ways to explore your thoughts and feelings using art, music, drama or
writing
 using a meditation technique such as ‘silencing’ or spending time reflecting on
what is happening to you either alone or with others
 finding ways to meet others in a relaxed environment to discuss deeper
questions that you want to explore
How Spirituality Can Benefit Your Health and Well-Being

What Is Spirituality?
Spirituality is the broad concept of a belief in something beyond the self. It
strives to answer questions about the meaning of life, how people are
connected to each other, truths about the universe, and other mysteries of
human existence.

Spirituality offers a worldview that suggests there is more to life than just
what people experience on a sensory and physical level. Instead, it suggests
that there is something greater that connects all beings to each other and to
the universe itself.

It may involve religious traditions centering on the belief in a higher power.

It can also involve a holistic belief in an individual connection to others and
the world as a whole.

Spirituality has been a source of comfort and relief from stress for
multitudes of people. While people use many different paths to find God or a
higher power, research has shown that those who are more religious or
spiritual and use their spirituality to cope with challenges in life experience
many benefits to their health and well-being.1

Signs of Spirituality
Spirituality is not a single path or belief system. There are many ways to
experience spirituality and the benefits of a spiritual experience. How you
define spirituality will vary. For some people, it's the belief in a higher power
or a specific religious practice.

For others, it may involve experiencing a sense of connection to a higher

state or a sense of inter-connectedness with the rest of humanity and
nature. Some signs of spirituality can include:

 Asking deep questions about topics such as suffering or what happens

after death
 Deepening connections with other people
 Experiencing compassion and empathy for others
 Experiencing feelings of interconnectedness
  Feelings of awe and wonder
 Seeking happiness beyond material possessions or other external
rewards
 Seeking meaning and purpose
 Wanting to make the world a better place

Not everyone experiences or expresses spirituality in the same way. Some

people may seek spiritual experiences in every aspect of their lives, while
others may be more likely to have these feelings under specific conditions or
in certain locations.

For example, some people may be more likely to have spiritual experiences
in churches or other religious temples, while others might have these
feelings when they're out enjoying nature.

Types of Spirituality
There are many different types of spirituality. Some examples of how people
get in touch with their own spirituality include:

 Breathwork
 Meditation or quiet time
 New age spirituality
 Prayer
 Service to their community
 Spending time in nature
 Spiritual retreats
 Yoga

Other people express their spirituality through religious traditions such as:

 Buddhism
 Christianity
 Hinduism
 Humanism
 Islam
 Judaism
 Sikhism

It is important to remember that there are many other spiritual traditions

that exist throughout the world, including traditional African and Indigenous
spiritual practices. Such spiritual practices can be particularly important to
groups of people who have been subjected to the effects of colonialism.
Spirituality vs. Religion
Though there can be a lot of overlap between people who are spiritual and
people who are religious, below are some key points to help differentiate
spirituality vs. religion.

Spirituality
 Can be practiced individually
 Doesn't have to adhere to a specific set of rules
 Often focuses on a personal journey of discovering what is meaningful
in life
Religion
 Often practiced in a community
 Usually based on a specific set of rules and customs
 Often focuses on the belief in deities or gods, religious texts, and
tradition

Uses for Spirituality

There are a number of different reasons why people may turn to spirituality,
including but not limited to:

 To find purpose and meaning: Exploring spirituality can help people

find answers to philosophical questions they have such as "What is the
meaning of life?" and "What purpose does my life serve?"
 To cope with feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety:
Spiritual experiences can be helpful when coping with the stresses of
life. 
 To restore hope and optimism: Spirituality can help people develop
a more hopeful outlook on life.
 To find a sense of community and support: Because spiritual
traditions often involve organized religions or groups, becoming a part
of such a group can serve as an important source of social support.

Impact of Spirituality
While specific spiritual views are a matter of faith, research has
demonstrated some of the benefits of spirituality and spiritual activity. The
results may surprise no one who has found comfort in their religious or
spiritual views, but they are definitely noteworthy in that they demonstrate
in a scientific way that these activities do have benefits for many people.
The following are a few more of the many positive findings related to
spirituality and health:

 Research has shown that religion and spirituality can help people cope
with the effects of everyday stress. One study found that everyday
spiritual experiences helped older adults better cope with negative
feelings, and enhanced positive feelings.2
 Research shows that older women are more grateful to God than older
men, and they receive greater stress-buffering health effects due to
this gratitude.3
 According to research, those with an intrinsic religious orientation,
regardless of gender, exhibited less physiological reactivity toward
stress than those with an extrinsic religious orientation. 4 Those who
were intrinsically oriented dedicated their lives to God or a "higher
power," while the extrinsically oriented ones used religion for external
ends like making friends or increasing community social standing.

This, along with other research, demonstrates that there may be tangible
and lasting benefits to maintaining involvement with a spiritual community.
This involvement, along with the gratitude that can accompany spirituality,
can be a buffer against stress and is linked to greater levels of physical
health.

Dedication to God or a higher power translated into less stress reactivity,

greater feelings of well-being, and ultimately even a decreased fear of
death.

People who feel comfortable and comforted using spirituality as a coping

mechanism for stress can rest assured that there's even more evidence that
this is a good idea for them. Prayer works for young and old alike. Prayer
and spirituality have been linked to:

 Better health
 Greater psychological well-being
 Less depression5
 Less hypertension
 Less stress, even during difficult times6
 More positive feelings
 Superior ability to handle stress

How to Practice Spirituality

Whether you are rediscovering a forgotten spiritual path, reinforcing your
commitment to an already well-established one, or wanting to learn more
about spirituality for beginners, there are countless ways to start exploring
your spiritual side and help improve your well-being.

Spirituality is a very personal experience, and everyone’s spiritual path may

be unique. Research shows, however, that some spiritual stress relief
strategies have been helpful to many, regardless of faith. 7 Some things you
can do to start exploring spirituality include:

 Pay attention to how you are feeling: Part of embracing spirituality

means also embracing what it means to be human, both the good and
the bad. 
 Focus on others: Opening your heart, feeling empathy, and helping
others are important aspects of spirituality.
 Meditate: Try spending 10 to 15 minutes each morning engaged in
some form of meditation.
 Practice gratitude: Start a gratitude journal and record what you are
grateful for each day. This can be a great reminder of what is most
important to you and what brings you the greatest happiness.
 Try mindfulness: By becoming more mindful, you can become more
aware and appreciative of the present. Mindfulness encourages you to
be less judgmental (both of yourself and others) and focus more on
the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or future.

Potential Pitfalls
One potential pitfall of spirituality is a phenomenon known as spiritual
bypassing. This involves a tendency to use spirituality as a way to avoid or
sidestep problems, emotions, or conflicts.

For example, rather than apologizing for some type of emotional wound you
have caused someone else, you might bypass the problem by simply
excusing it and saying that "everything happens for a reason" or suggesting
that the other person just needs to "focus on the positive."

Spirituality can enrich your life and lead to a number of benefits, but it is
important to be cautious to not let spiritual ideals lead to pitfalls such as
dogmatism or a reason to ignore the needs of others.

Citation: Scott, E., PhD. (2023). How Spirituality Can Benefit Your Health and Well-
Being. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-spirituality-can-benefit-
mental-and-physical-health-3144807
 Holistic nurses believe that the human being, composed of a mind, body and soul integrated into
an inseparable whole that is greater than the sum of the parts, is in constant interaction with the
universe and all that it contains. Health and well-being depend on attaining harmony in these
relationships. Healing is the journey toward holism. Using presence, intent, unconditional
acceptance, love, and compassion, holistic nurses can facilitate growth and healing and help
their clients to find meaning in their life experiences, life purpose, and reason for being.

What Is Spirituality?
Spirituality is a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In
general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves,
and it typically involves a search for meaning in life. As such, it is a universal
human experience—something that touches us all. People may describe a
spiritual experience as sacred or transcendent or simply a deep sense of
aliveness and interconnectedness.

Some may find that their spiritual life is intricately linked to their association
with a church, temple, mosque, or synagogue. Others may pray or find
comfort in a personal relationship with God or a higher power. Still others seek
meaning through their connections to nature or art. Like your sense
of purpose, your personal definition of spirituality may change throughout your
life, adapting to your own experiences and relationships.

Experts’ definitions of spirituality

 Christina Puchalski, MD, Director of the George Washington Institute for
Spirituality and Health, contends that "spirituality is the aspect of humanity that
refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the
way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to
nature, and to the significant or sacred."

 According to Mario Beauregard and Denyse O’Leary, researchers and authors

of The Spiritual Brain, “spirituality means any experience that is thought to
bring the experiencer into contact with the divine (in other words, not just any
experience that feels meaningful).”
 Nurses Ruth Beckmann Murray and Judith Proctor Zenter write that “the
spiritual dimension tries to be in harmony with the universe, and strives for
answers about the infinite, and comes into focus when the person faces
emotional stress, physical illness, or death.”

Relationship between religion and

spirituality
While spirituality may incorporate elements of religion, it is generally a broader
concept. Religion and spirituality are not the same thing, nor are they entirely
distinct from one another. The best way to understand this is to think of two
overlapping circles like this:

 In spirituality, the questions are: where do I personally find meaning,

connection, and value?
 In religion, the questions are: what is true and right?
 Where the circles overlap is the individual experience, which affects the way
you think, feel, and behave.

Spirituality versus emotional health

You will notice as you read on that many practices recommended for
cultivating spirituality are similar to those recommended for
improving emotional wellbeing. This is because there is a connection between
the two—emotional and spiritual wellbeing influence one another and overlap,
as do all aspects of wellbeing.

1. Spirituality is about seeking a meaningful connection with something bigger

than yourself, which can result in positive emotions, such as peace, awe,
contentment, gratitude, and acceptance.
2. Emotional health is about cultivating a positive state of mind, which can
broaden your outlook to recognize and incorporate a connection to something
larger than yourself.
Thus, emotions and spirituality are distinct but linked, deeply integrated with
one another.

Citation: What is spirituality? | Taking charge of your health & wellbeing. (n.d.).
Taking Charge of Your Health &
Wellbeing. https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-spirituality

18.1 SPIRITUALITY INTRODUCTIONSpirituality

includes a sense of connection to something bigger than oneself and typically involves a
search for meaning and purpose in life. People may describe a spiritual experience as
sacred or transcendent or simply feel a deep sense of aliveness and
interconnectedness. Some people’s spiritual life is linked to a religious association with
a church, temple, mosque, or synagogue, whereas others pray and find comfort in a
personal relationship with God or a higher power and still others find meaning through
their connections to nature or art. A person’s definition of spirituality and sense of
purpose often change throughout one’s lifetime as it evolves based on personal
experiences and relationships. [1]
 Over the past decade, research has demonstrated the importance of spirituality in
health care. Spiritual distress is very common in patients and their family members
experiencing serious illness, injury, or death, and nurses are on the front lines as they
assist these individuals to cope. Addressing a patient’s spirituality and providing spiritual
care have been shown to improve patients’ health and quality of life, including how they
experience pain, cope with stress and suffering associated with serious illness, and
approach end of life. , [2] [3]

Consensus-driven recommendations define a spiritual care model where all clinicians

address spiritual issues and work with trained chaplains who are spiritual care
specialists. ,  By therapeutically using presence, unconditional acceptance, and
[4] [5]

compassion, nurses often provide spiritual care and help patients find hope and
meaning in their life experiences.  The Interprofessional Spiritual Care Education
[6]

Curriculum (ISPEC), developed by George Washington University for health care

professionals, is an education initiative to improve spiritual care for seriously ill patients
in the United States and internationally. This chapter will introduce concepts included in
the ISPEC curriculum, review religious beliefs and practices of various world religions,
and discuss therapeutic interventions that nurses can use to promote patients’ and their
own spiritual well-being.
Read more about professional development opportunities regarding spiritual
health using the Interprofessional Spiritual Care Education Curriculum (ISPEC)
offered by George Washington University Institute for Spirituality and Health.

Explore more information about spirituality using free online resources provided by
the University of Minnesota’s Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing.

1. Delagran, L. (n.d.). What is spirituality? University of Minnesota. https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-

spirituality ↵
2. Pilger, C., Molzahn, A. E., de Oliveira, M. P., & Kusumota, L. (2016). The relationship of the spiritual and religious
dimensions with quality of life and health of patients with chronic kidney disease: An integrative literature
review. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 43(5), 411–426. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30550069/ ↵
3. Puchalski, C., Jafari, N., Buller, H., Haythorn, T., Jacobs, C., & Ferrell, B. (2020). Interprofessional spiritual care
education curriculum: A milestone toward the provision of spiritual care. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 23(6), 777–
784. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2019.0375 ↵
4. Pilger, C., Molzahn, A. E., de Oliveira, M. P., & Kusumota, L. (2016). The relationship of the spiritual and religious
dimensions with quality of life and health of patients with chronic kidney disease: An integrative literature
review. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 43(5), 411–426. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30550069/ ↵
5. Puchalski, C., Jafari, N., Buller, H., Haythorn, T., Jacobs, C., & Ferrell, B. (2020). Interprofessional spiritual care
education curriculum: A milestone toward the provision of spiritual care. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 23(6), 777–
784. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2019.0375 ↵
6. Erickson, H. (2007). Philosophy and theory of holism. The Nursing Clinics of North American,
42(2).https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2007.03.001 ↵
Citation: Nursing, O. R. F. (n.d.-b). 18.1 Spirituality Introduction.
Pressbooks. https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/nursingfundamentals/chapter/18-1-
spirituality-introduction/

Spiritual Care in
Nursing: Guidelines
and Tips
October 23, 2022
Spirituality can be a key element in patient-centered care
(PCC) and its holistic approach to care delivery. This
approach takes a patient’s faith and belief systems into
account when providing care, allowing patients to have a
greater say in their care strategy.
A growing body of evidence shows spirituality is an
important component of emotional wellness for many
patients, particularly for those facing serious illness or
nearing the end of their lives. Oftentimes, though, health care
providers who have direct contact with patients, including
nurses, struggle to incorporate spirituality into individualized
patient care.
 However, integrating spiritual care into nursing practice can
make a difference. A 2021 peer-reviewed paper published
by Primary Care Reports suggests that the simple act of
asking a patient about their spirituality can dramatically
improve the patient/provider dynamic. As such,
incorporating spiritual care isn’t just a sign of respect, it’s a
way for health care professionals to adhere to PCC’s
principles.

What Is Patient-
Centered Care?
Patient-centered care focuses on providing patients with
respectful, empathetic and supportive care as they make
decisions about their health and treatment strategies.
Transparency is key, and nurses must fully inform their
patients about all their test results, diagnoses, treatment
options and outcomes, so they can make informed decisions.
This can also apply to a patient’s family members in certain
cases.
Many health care facilities base their PCC strategies on the
Picker Institute’s principles of person-centered care.
Developed in 1987 by the nonprofit Picker Institute, the
principles are designed to ensure empathy and respect toward
the patient in every care scenario. The principles are:
 Fast access to reliable care-related advice
 Effective treatment by professionals patients trust
 Care continuity and smooth transitions
 Involvement of and support for careers and family members
 Clear information, communication and support for self-care
 Decision involvement and respect for patient preferences
 Respect, empathy and emotional support
 Attention to environmental and physical needs
The common thread binding these principles is patient
inclusion in the care delivery process and incorporating
spiritual care can be a natural part of the process.

Patient-Centered Care
and Spiritual Care in
Nursing
Religion and spirituality play some role in the majority of
Americans’ lives. A 2022 Gallup poll found that 81% of
Americans believe in God. Furthermore, in a 2021 Gallup
poll, 49% of Americans said religion was “very important,”
while another 27% said it was “fairly important.” Additional
studies by BMC Geriatrics found that spirituality helps
patients cope with stress and make crucial medical decisions,
and it improves their quality of life.
In the past, spirituality has not been considered part of
nursing therapeutics. However, with the focus on holistic
 care and respecting and responding to individual patient
needs, nurses are increasingly being asked to identify and fill
spiritual requests. At the forefront of the shift are advanced
practice nurses who work as leaders to guide health care
teams. One of the benefits of nursing certification or an
advanced nursing degree is that it prepares nurses to take on
these types of leadership roles.
Introducing spiritual care can be challenging for nurses,
especially in palliative care. However, the Journal of
Hospice and Palliative Care lists five key items nurses
should bear in mind:
 Understand that spirituality is manifested in a host of ways,
and that it’s not the same as religion.
 Screen for spiritual distress at first, then conduct a spiritual
history or assessment later.
 Know that spirituality isn’t just something to assess when the
patient is admitted; nurses need to continually assess
patients’ spiritual needs.
 Appreciate that there are many ways to assess a patient’s
spirituality, including those that go beyond how a patient
responds to questions about either their spirituality or their
religion.
 Keep in mind that assessment can also be therapeutic.

Responding to Spiritual
Requests
Inevitably, nurses will face spiritual requests they are not
equipped to address. One area of concern involves prayer —
specifically, instances where nurses or health care
professionals are asked by patients to pray.
In these situations, it is recommended that health care
professionals strike a balance between their own feelings
about prayer requests with the recognition that the patient
may need validation at that moment. It is also advised that
they pray silently. If the patient requests that the nurse lead
the prayer, the nurse should be careful not to interject their
own specific beliefs.
Additionally, it is prudent for nurses to be prepared to
accommodate patients with unique religious or spiritual
practice needs. Nurses should always rely on the basic tenets
of their profession in these situations, including empathy,
communication and professionalism.

Become a Leader in
Respectful, Empathetic
Care
Incorporating spiritual care into nursing practice is an
important step in acknowledging a patient’s unique needs.
By respecting a patient’s spiritual or religious beliefs, nurses
can build a rapport that can improve the patient/provider
dynamic.
Duquesne University’s online post-master’s nursing
certificates can help prepare you to provide this special type
of care. Our program is designed to help nurses develop the
expertise to assess and respond to each patient’s specific
needs, including those rooted in spirituality. Learn how we
can help you become a nurse leader who provides respectful
care to patients of all kinds.

Citation: Duquesne University School of Nursing Online. (2022, October 23). Spiritual

care in nursing: guidelines and tips. Duquesne University School of
Nursing. https://onlinenursing.duq.edu/blog/spiritual-care-in-nursing/
#:~:text=Incorporating%20spiritual%20care%20into%20nursing,improve%20the
%20patient%2Fprovider%20dynamic.

Nursing Clinics of North America

Volume 42, Issue 2, June 2007, Pages 139-163

Philosophy and Theory of Holism

Author links open overlay panelHelen L. Erickson PhD, RN, AHN-BC,
FAAN    a b

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Holistic nurses believe that the human being, composed of a mind,

body and soul integrated into an inseparable whole that is greater than
the sum of the parts, is in constant interaction with the universe and all
that it contains. Health and well-being depend on attaining harmony in
these relationships. Healing is the journey toward holism. Using
presence, intent, unconditional acceptance, love, and compassion,
holistic nurses can facilitate growth and healing and help their clients
to find meaning in their life experiences, life purpose, and reason for
being.

Section snippets
Conceptual derivations
The term holism, as defined by Smuts, was derived from the Greek
word holos, which means whole. Nevertheless, the concept is
probably rooted in the ancient Indian Vedic culture that existed
thousands of years ago. Their Sanskrit language word, sarvah,
meaning whole, intact, or uninjured, was used to describe [5] the
nature of the human being as an integral part of the universe. More
specifically, the word sarvah means that when the physical form of the
human being is instilled with an

Practice derivations
Just as the concept of holism is not new, neither is the practice of
holistic health care. For example, the ancient Vedic system for caring
for the sick provides the philosophic basis for the modern-day
Ayurveda holistic healing system. This model, recognized by the
National Institutes of Health , is based on the belief that health
2

problems occur when

Evolution of nursing philosophy
By the mid-1960s, several nurse leaders argued for systematic
nursing based on the nurse-patient relationship [8] and for a science
of nursing [9]. Using the reductionist model of medicine, in which the
whole is the sum of the parts, graduate nursing programs were
developed to help nurses learn how to become experts in a specific
area of care. Most nurse experts were soon known by the part of the
body, the type of problem, or the population they specialized in.
Medical-surgical, psychiatric,

Emergence of holistic nursing

Although the social policy statement of the American Nurses
Association (ANA) satisfied nurses who supported a wholistic model,
many nurses felt disenfranchised. They continued to believe that the
person, as an entity, cannot be broken down into parts or separated
from the environment. They understood that people have organ
systems but believed that nursing is concerned with the dynamic
integration of all physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual
components of the person.

Holism in the twenty-first century

Today, several disciplines, including physics, mathematics, science,
philosophy, sociology, medicine, and nursing, support the view that
the whole of an entity is more complex (or greater) than the sum of its
parts. How this belief is applied varies with the discipline, however.
For example, Greene [24], a quantum physicist, argues that all things
in the universe are interconnected by energy particles, whereas
theologists, such as Moore [25], address the interconnectedness and
inseparability of 

Summary
Historically, medicine addressed the treatment of sickness and
diseases, whereas nurses focused on the person. Physicians used the
basic sciences to help them understand how to treat the focus of their
interest, whereas nurses used the art of nursing to comfort their
patients and help to restore balance within the person and between
the person and the environment. The nurse's goal was to create a
healing environment so that nature could take its natural course and
people could get well or die

Citation: Erickson, H. (2007b). Philosophy and Theory of Holism. Nursing Clinics of

North America, 42(2), 139–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2007.03.001