Clinical meaning
Spiritual care in palliative nursing addresses the existential and spiritual dimensions of suffering that accompany serious illness and approaching death. Spirituality encompasses the search for meaning, purpose, connection, and transcendence and is broader than religion (though religion may be part of a person's spiritual expression). Spiritual distress manifests as existential suffering: questioning life meaning, feeling abandoned by God/higher power, loss of hope, fear of death and the unknown, guilt or regret, and desire for spiritual reconciliation. The FICA Spiritual History tool provides a structured assessment: Faith/belief, Importance/influence, Community, and Address/action. HOPE is another mnemonic: Sources of Hope, Organized religion, Personal spirituality/practices, Effects on medical care. Research demonstrates that addressing spiritual needs improves quality of life, reduces end-of-life despair, decreases aggressive medical interventions near death, and supports family bereavement. Practical nurses should assess spiritual needs, provide compassionate presence, facilitate access to chaplains and spiritual leaders, and respect diverse spiritual expressions without imposing personal beliefs.