Özet:

Spirituality includes the meaning of and the struggle to accept an individual's relationships with him/herself and with other people, his/her place in the universe, and meaning of life and at the same time includes the meaning that comes to an individual as a result of information gained throughout his/her life and that form his/her purpose in life. Spiritual distress is discomfort that is experienced in the belief and value system that gives meaning to life and ensures hope and strength of an individual or carried by a group at risk. Health care with purpose, belief and values in the approach to patients experiencing spiritual distress decreases or eliminates conflict. Nurses as members of the health care team that provide 24 hour service within the health care system need to have knowledge, skills and approaches about spiritual needs at the desired professional level. Not knowing the importance of spiritual care can lead to inadequate skills in providing this care, to confusing religion with spirituality, to not expecting health care professionals to provide spiritual care to patients or to considering this approach to be unscientific.

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