Several years ago, BYU College of Nursing Professor Brandon Thatcher noticed a pattern among his students: many were having amazing spiritual experiences with their clinical patients. Reflecting on this observation, he was inspired to investigate how and when BYU students were spiritually caring for patients. After talking with fellow faculty member Dr. Janelle Macintosh, the two began gathering data from graduating seniors and analyzing the thought process behind their spiritual care.
The professors found that while some students had amazing experiences providing spiritual care for their clinical patients, others were hesitant to provide spiritual care because they didn’t understand what it was or how to do it. Professor Thatcher clarified for his students that spiritual care “has nothing to do with the nursing student or their religion—it’s all about the patient.” Dr. Macintosh agrees that spiritual care is anything that helps someone connect with a “greater other,” whether that be nature, God, or anything else. This care can include prayer, reading sacred texts, and other religious practices.
To illustrate this principle, Dr. Macintosh shared an experience of a student who was serving on a routine clinical shift when a newborn infant suddenly passed away. The student was unsure how to comfort the infant’s mother during the heartbreak that followed, yet she stayed by her side and listened as the mother grieved and spoke of the hopes and dreams she’d had for her child.
Without imposing her beliefs or making any assumptions, the student was able to validate the mother’s feelings and be there for her in a moment of great need. This was enough to heal a tiny part of the mother’s aching soul that day.
Some may ask what difference providing spiritual care makes for a patient, or if it’s really feasible in the clinical setting. Kelsey Parker (BS ’24), who assisted with the study, reflected on her own post-graduation experience working in a Labor and Delivery unit.
One patient, a mother from another country, delivered a baby while in Kelsey’s care. Immediately after the birth, the parents requested that Kelsey put a single grain of sand in the baby’s mouth. This initially felt strange to Kelsey, perhaps even unsanitary, but she could see that it carried a special cultural significance for the family.
That grain of sand was from their homeland, a token of their lifestyle and culture. They wanted it to be part of their child’s identity, even in a faraway place. In fulfilling this request, Kelsey was able to spiritually care for the mother.
Professors Thatcher and Macintosh hope to increase BYU nursing students’ awareness of and capacity to provide spiritual care for patients and their families. The professors have used their findings to develop a brief training for students entering their capstone semester.
Kelsey lamented that many nurses she’s worked with professionally often completely overlook a patient’s spiritual needs, never asking if they can help in any way. Even if it seems unnecessary, Kelsey says that “the most important thing to do is ask.”
Professor Thatcher is hopeful that alumni will care for their patients in a higher and holier way. He asserted that, “of all places, BYU should be [a leader] in incorporating spiritual care.”