• Hannah Walker and Susan Waterworth.
• Nurse Educator Mercy Hospice Auckland.
• Int J Palliat Nurs. 2017 Jan 2; 23 (1): 18-26.

BackgroundInternationally it is recognised that providing spiritual care is essential to reduce spiritual distress, particularly in patients who are facing a life-limiting illness.AimThis study sought to explore palliative care nurses experiences providing spiritual care to their patients who are facing a life-limiting illness.MethodThis study used a qualitative approach: interviews took place with nine nurses working across three hospices in New Zealand in 2013.FindingsNine palliative care nurses participated in the study. Their average age was 53 years and palliative care experience ranged from 3-22 years, with an average of 9 years. The narrative descriptions of nine palliative care nurses were demonstrated under the categories of the assessment of spiritual needs: recognition of spiritual distress, provision of spiritual care and documentation of spiritual care. Additionally, eight sub-categories: individuality and respect; connection; love and compassion; meaning, touching and presence; communication; divine-related spiritual care provision and referral; death preparation and post-modern spiritual care were identified under the category of provision of spiritual care.ConclusionThere are challenges in identifying and defining spiritual distress and there is complexity in the provision of spiritual care. However, for the nurses in this study, focusing on the individual patient and developing a relationship that enabled the patient's unique spiritual needs to be met was highly valued. Creating a culture where nurses, and other health professionals involved in the patient's care, share their experiences of spiritual care provision and discussion about how this can be documented is needed.

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