Undergraduate nursing students' perceptions and experiences of learning spiritual competencies: A qualitative meta-synthesis.

BACKGROUND

Nursing focuses on improving individuals' overall well-being through a holistic approach that includes spiritual care, which is key for fostering compassionate relationships and addressing patients' spiritual needs. Despite its importance, challenges remain in integrating spiritual care into patient care, and little is known about how nursing students perceive and acquire spiritual care competencies during their education.

AIM

This meta-synthesis aims to interpret and synthesize qualitative evidence on the learning process of spiritual care competencies among nursing students.

REVIEW METHODS

Searches in six databases were conducted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used to guide this review. A total of 1248 studies were screened. Inclusion criteria were: qualitative studies published between 2013 and 2023 in Spanish and English languages, and undergraduate nursing students as participants. The quality of the (n=12) identified studies was evaluated using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) checklist. A total of (n=11) studies were analysed using two-step metasynthesis procedures and following Sandelowski and Barroso's (2007) methodology.

RESULTS

A total of 686 undergraduate nursing students participated in the studies included in this meta-synthesis. The findings were synthesized into three categories: (1) Approach to Spirituality: back-and-forth actions between theory, care, and self-awareness, (2) From the Known (Intrapersonal-Interpersonal) to the Unknown (Transpersonal) and (3) Knowing how to be, knowing how to do, and knowing how to be present in spiritual care. One meta-theme emerged: 'Personal and Professional Transformation in the Provision of Spiritual Care: The Journey of Nursing Students Towards Holistic and Empathetic Practice'.

CONCLUSIONS

Nursing students' understanding of spiritual care is influenced by their personal, cultural, and religious backgrounds. However, there is a lack of formal spiritual care education. Acquiring spiritual care competencies is crucial for delivering holistic care, emphasizing the need for enhanced education in both undergraduate nursing programs and continuing professional development.