Original Research

Students’ voices on spiritual care at a Higher Education Institution in the Western Cape

Ntombizodwa S. Linda, Hester C. Klopper, Deliwe R. Phetlhu
Curationis | Vol 38, No 2 | a1520 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v38i2.1520 | © 2015 Ntombizodwa S. Linda, Hester C. Klopper, Deliwe R. Phetlhu | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 02 April 2015 | Published: 18 December 2015

About the author(s)

Ntombizodwa S. Linda, School of Nursing, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Hester C. Klopper, School of Nursing, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Deliwe R. Phetlhu, School of Nursing, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Nurses have a moral obligation to ensure holistic care of patients, inclusive of the spiritual dimension. However, there seems to be a void in the teaching and learning of spiritual care in nursing curricula. Despite the South African Nursing Council being in favour of holistic nursing, there are no measures in place to ensure implementation of spiritual care, hence its practice is not standardised in nursing education in South Africa. Currently, the undergraduate nursing curriculum does not provide clear direction on how spiritual care in nursing should be integrated and the reason for this is not clear. It appears that the lack of professional regulation, difficulties in definition and the personalised nature of spiritual practice are partly responsible for the practice being barely enforced and scarcely practised by students in clinical placements. The aim of the study was to develop a practice theory for teaching–learning of spiritual care in the undergraduate nursing programme.

Objectives: The study objective was to describe and explore the students’ experiencs of teaching–learning of spiritual care in the undergraduate nursing programme.

Methods: A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design with purposive sampling was used. The sample consisted of undergraduate nursing students at a University in the Western Cape Province. Measures for trustworthiness were applied.

Results: The findings indicated a need to provide support, a conducive learning environment and structure for teaching, learning and practice of spiritual care.

Conclusion: There is a need for formal education regarding spiritual care in nursing.


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Crossref Citations

1. Spiritual Care: Motivations and Experiences through the Lenses and Voices of a Cohort of Spiritual Care Workers at an Established Hospice in Cape Town, South Africa
Ronita Mahilall, Leslie Swartz
Journal of Religion and Health  vol: 60  issue: 4  first page: 2906  year: 2021  
doi: 10.1007/s10943-021-01232-7