Abstract:
Parish nurses have addressed concerns related to spiritual-psychosocial issues of patient care while others related concerns of patients' physical nature related to spiritual care (Tuck, Wallace, & Pullen, 2001). Parish nurses may provide insight into spiritual well-being for patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the spiritual perspectives and spiritual well-being of parish nurses in the United States and the nursing interventions used related to practice that provide support for individuals with chronic illness. This is a modified replication of a study by Tuck, Wallace, et al. (2001). Friedemann, Mouch, and Racey (2002) developed a framework, based on the Framework of Systemic Organization to clarify concepts of spirituality as an essential and integrated dimension of individuals and integrated dimension of individuals and families (Friedemann, 1995). The national sample will be parish nurses identified from the parish nurse organization. The anticipated sample is approximately 1000 parish nurses. The Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS) (Reed, 1986)) and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) (Paloutzian & Ellison, 1982) will be used to measure perceptions held by parish nurses. Findings will provide information about perceptions of spirituality and nursing interventions that may assist parish nurses in the care of chronically ill patients.