Yung-Hua Liu
Fooyin University, Taiwan
Title: Exploring the spiritual growth experiences of nurses caring for terminally ill patients
Biography
Biography: Yung-Hua Liu
Abstract
This study explored the spiritual growth experiences of nurses caring for terminally ill patients. Using the method of narrative study, we interviewed five nurses who used to care for terminally ill patients, and we followed a semi structured guideline for data collection. The participants were single women aged 30 40 years and holding a bachelor degree; moreover, they had no preferences for religious activities; had no chronic diseases; have family members with experiences of being hospitalized; had worked in hospice and palliative units for 8.3 years on average; have a total working experience of 12.5 years; and had more than 100 hours of training on spiritual lessons. The participants were interviewed twice individually. The first data analysis analyzing the whole context data was based on the integrate content model by Lieblich, Mashiach, and Zilber (2008). The second data analysis categorizing the content experiences into specific styles followed the category form model. The results were divided into the two main spindles of hospice care and spiritual growth experiences. The categories of hospice care experiences included communication, ethics, and training. The categories of spiritual growth experiences included struggles in life, growth, and philosophy of life. The results could provide a positive outlook for nurses in promoting their spiritual growth and transformation and in continually disseminating the energetic aspects of nursing.