Professional, ethical, and legal implications for spiritual care in nursing.

PURPOSE

To highlight nurses' professional and ethical responsibility to consistently provide spiritual care. The legal issue of nurse-client privilege in relation to spiritual care is also discussed. Spiritual care is consistent with the model of holistic care. Yet spiritual care often remains a neglected focus of current nursing practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Spirituality, as an important aspect of wellness, is indispensable in nursing care. Nurses are obligated to take an active role in meeting the spiritual needs of patients.