CNE: Uncovering Patterns in Providing Spiritual Care: Lessons for FCNs

Description: Spiritual care is a necessary support when anyone is confronted with difficult diagnoses, chronic illness, or palliative and end-of-life care. Nurses know holistic nursing interventions and spiritual care are essential and they often share a mutual experience with those they serve. Increasingly, nurses are confronted with expectations to provide effective spiritual support necessary for a range of practices and choices. This session will explore the factors and strategies that affect nurses’ effectiveness in providing spiritual care.

Bio: Dr. Renee Kumpula is an Associate Professor and Graduate Research Faculty at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU) in undergraduate through doctoral programs including teaching courses in Evidence-based practice; end-of life, elder care, vulnerable populations, family crisis, and public health; and healthcare policy and leadership. Her nursing experience includes acute care, public health nursing, community nursing, palliative and hospice care nursing, faith community nursing, and leadership across settings. Her research interests and expertise include palliative and end-of-life nursing, spiritual care, adult learning theory, continuing professional development and continuing education, and interprofessional teams. She has been engaged with various faith communities and professional organizations throughout her career. 

Learning outcomes:

• 1.     Identify 2 ways nurses develop their capacity to recognize spiritual needs.
  2.     Describe 2 strategies for providing holistic spiritual care.