Religious Characteristics of Nurses Who Refer Patients to Chaplains at a Catholic Hospital in the Northwestern USA

J Relig Health. 2024 Dec;63(6):4549-4558. doi: 10.1007/s10943-024-02118-0. Epub 2024 Nov 3.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between nurse religiosity and decision to consult spiritual care services at a hospital in the western USA. An anonymous survey was distributed to assess nurses' reports of whether they would request spiritual care services across different scenarios. Out of 171 nurses approached to participate in this survey, fifty-one nurses completed the survey and half of respondents considered themselves religious. Compared to non-religious nurses, religious nurses reported greater likelihood to contact a chaplain across a variety of patient and family scenarios, including when a patient has a new diagnosis, is anxious or depressed, or has a challenging family situation.

Keywords: Hospital chaplains; Nursing perceptions; Religiosity; Spiritual care services.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Catholicism* / psychology
  • Chaplaincy Service, Hospital* / statistics & numerical data
  • Clergy / psychology
  • Clergy / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Religious / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Northwestern United States
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Referral and Consultation* / statistics & numerical data
  • Religion and Medicine
  • Surveys and Questionnaires