The Foundation of Holistic Care: Nurses' Spiritual Sensitivity Levels and Experiences

Abstract

This study aimed to explore nurses' spiritual sensitivity and how it shaped their everyday clinical caregiving experiences within a holistic care framework. A mixed-method approach was employed to integrate survey findings from 213 nurses with in-depth clinical narratives obtained from 32 nurses working in different hospital settings in T & uuml;rkiye. Quantitative data were collected using the Nurse Information Form and the Spiritual Sensitivity Scale for Nurses, while qualitative data were gathered through semistructured individual interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences, and qualitative data were evaluated through content analysis. Nurses' spiritual sensitivity levels were found to be generally high, with positive correlations identified between spiritual sensitivity, job satisfaction, and belief in spirituality's role in the healing process. Qualitative findings indicated that nurses recognized patients' spiritual needs by observing their psychological and emotional states, and that supporting religious and spiritual practices contributed not only to patients' recovery but also to nurses' professional satisfaction. Spiritual sensitivity was identified as a fundamental element of patient-centered and holistic nursing care, enhancing both the quality of care and professional satisfaction. These results highlighted the clinical relevance of spiritual sensitivity as an integral component of holistic nursing practice rather than an abstract personal attribute. Health care institutions were encouraged to actively support spiritual sensitivity through clinical guidelines, education, and organizational culture to strengthen holistic patient care.