Keywords

nurse educators, religiousness, spiritual experiences, spirituality, undergraduate nursing curricula

 

Authors

  1. Johnson, Paige Turner
  2. Cheshire, Michelle
  3. Wood, Felecia G.
  4. Dunn, Linda L.
  5. Ewell, Patrick J.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This research describes the first reported assessment of spirituality in nurse educators. Faculty members at a public university in a southern U.S. state participated in a study to investigate the relationship between daily spiritual experiences (DSE), self-reported health, and depression. All participants viewed themselves as spiritual, had a religious affiliation, and recognized a difference between spirituality and religiosity. Many who reported spiritual experiences at least daily rated their health as good or excellent; those reporting less frequent DSE reported more depressive symptoms. Nurse educators' self-awareness of spirituality is important as they prepare future nursing professionals who will integrate spirituality into healthcare.