Keywords

death, end of life, nature spirituality, nursing process, Paganism, spirituality, Wiccan

 

Authors

  1. Smith-Stoner, Marilyn RN, PhD, CHPN
  2. Young, Reverend Nora Cedarwind

Abstract

Practitioners of Wicca, along with Pagans and Nature Spiritualists, are rapidly increasing in the United States. Many practitioners are hesitant to reveal any part of their spiritual beliefs because of common misconceptions and prejudices regarding Paganism as a whole. It is necessary for hospice professionals to understand these issues and prepare to care for these growing groups of heterogeneous practitioners who may use hospice services. This article describes how to use the nursing process to plan for their end-of-life care and suggests how each member of the hospice team can support each dying patient and meet the bereavement needs of the patient's family.