Spirituality: The Meaning as Experienced by Nurses Enrolled in Graduate Nursing Programs

The aim of this study was to understand the meaning of the lived experiences of spirituality by graduate nurses enrolled in graduate nursing programs, with the intent of bringing some clarity to the role of spirituality in nursing education and practice. The data collected in this study were recalled memory as graduate nurses lived the phenomenon of spirituality. A pilot study was conducted followed by qualitative phenomenological design. Ten graduate nurses participated in the study. The in-depth, audio-taped, face-to face, and open-ended, interviews took place in a quiet environment conducive to effective communication. The researcher observed the participants non-verbal interactions and listened attentively as they reflected on their lived experiences. The themes that emerged as a result of analyzing the data include the following: spirituality as an interconnecting force, consequences of spiritual care, personal and professional empowerment, existential quality of spirituality, and integrating spirituality in nursing research, education, education, and practice. Implications are optimistic in that the nursing profession can respond more efficiently; educating its practitioners more deliberately to address the spiritual needs of patients in a professional manner.