Resources on Religious Practices

In the new edition of Spiritual Dimensions of Nursing Practice, editor Verna Benner Carson makes the following statement about nurses, but it could apply to all health professionals:

"Nurses are in a unique position to deal with people of various religious backgrounds. When illness challenges patients' beliefs, nurses can step in to support patients' beliefs and values and, with the professional chaplain's help, guide patients to identify and use religious and spiritual resources. It is not necessary for the nurse to hold similar religious beliefs as the patient or to agree with the beliefs of the patient in order to meet the patient's spiritual needs with acceptance and understanding."

Religions

• Buddhism

• Christianity

• Hinduism

• Islam

• Judaism