Specialist Palliative Care Nurses' Perspectives on Spirituality and Spiritual Care at End of Life – A Quantitative Study

Background Spirituality is an important component of holistic palliative care, but challenges remain regarding its understanding and delivery. Limited quantitative evidence exists regarding specialist palliative care nurses’ perspectives in specialist palliative care settings in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Objectives To explore specialist palliative care nurses’ perspectives of spirituality and spiritual care at end of life and examine associated factors. Design A descriptive correlational, cross-sectional survey design was used. Setting/Subjects Specialist palliative care nurses (SPCNs) from inpatient and community services were recruited using non-probability convenience sampling. Data from 123 completed responses were analysed. Measurements The Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS) was used. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Results Participants demonstrated high endorsement of spirituality and spiritual care (median = 4.2, IQR = 0.61). No significant differences were identified between nurses working in inpatient or community settings ( P = 1.00). Spiritual needs were most commonly recognised through direct interaction, observation, and listening rather than formal assessment tools. In addition, guidance to spiritual care came from personal and spiritual experience of SPCNs. Conclusions Specialist palliative care nurses strongly endorsed spirituality and spiritual care as important aspects of end-of-life practice. Findings suggest that explicit undergraduate education, together with personal and spiritual experience, may strengthen nurses’ understanding of spiritual care and should remain a priority within specialist palliative care education.