Nurses’ spiritual care in the intensive care unit and associated factors: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the conditions and factors associated with nurses’ spiritual care in intensive care units [ICU] and high care units [HCU].

Methods: An internet questionnaire survey was conducted with staff nurses working in the ICU or HCU. Data on the actual conditions of nurses’ spiritual care were collected using nurses’ spiritual care practices [NSCP]. After univariate analysis, multiple regression analysis was performed with the total NSCP score as the dependent variable and individual and environmental factors as the independent variables.

Results: The valid response rate was 32.2%. The mean total NSCP score was 25.5. Moral sensitivity, spirituality, and departmental atmosphere and systems were associated with the overall NSCP scores.

Conclusions: These findings suggest the importance of enhancing the moral sensitivity and spirituality of each nurse in the ICU or HCU in addition to establishing a departmental atmosphere and systems to promote spiritual care among ICU or HCU nurses.