Spiritual Care Education in Nursing: A Review of Educational Effectiveness and Its Outcomes in the Last Decade
akhlāq-i pizishkī i.e., Medical Ethics,
Vol. 20 (1405),
13 July 2026
,
Page 1-14
https://doi.org/10.22037/mej.v20i.53135
Abstract
Background and Aim: Spiritual care is an integral component of holistic nursing care; however, many nurses are not adequately prepared to provide it. This study aimed to analytically review and synthesize the available evidence on the effectiveness of spiritual care education programs and their outcomes for nurses and nursing students over the past decade, from January 2016 to August 2026.
Methods: This study was a narrative review. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases using the keywords, including “spiritual care education,” “spiritual competence,” “nurses,” and “nursing students,” along with their Persian equivalents in SID and Magiran databases. Articles published in Persian and English between January 2016 and August 2026 were reviewed. After removing duplicate and irrelevant records, 13 out of 180 retrieved articles were included in the final analysis. The studies were critically appraised based on methodological quality, study design, sample adequacy, clarity of the intervention, measurement instruments, and the generalizability of findings. Data were categorized and interpreted using thematic analysis.
Ethical Considerations: In this study, principles of scientific integrity, accurate citation of sources, and respect for intellectual property rights were observed throughout all stages of manuscript preparation.
Results: A total of 13 eligible studies were included in the study from the retrieved records. Of these, 5 studies (38.5%) focused on face-to-face workshops, 3 studies (23.1%) on e-learning, 2 studies (15.4%) on clinical simulation, and 3 studies (23.1%) on structured model-based educational programs. The findings were organized into two main categories and three core themes. The first category, educational outcomes, included the themes of enhanced spiritual competence, improved attitudes, and increased knowledge among nurses and nursing students. The second category, professional and clinical outcomes, included increased clinical resilience, improved empathy, and reduced job burnout.
Conclusion: Spiritual care education, as an essential component of holistic care, has considerable potential to enhance nurses’ professional competence and improve the quality of patient care. The findings highlight the need to integrate structured, evidence-based, and culturally and ethically appropriate spiritual care education into nursing curricula and continuing professional education programs.
- Spiritual Care Education
- Spiritual Competence
- Nurses
- Nursing Students
How to Cite
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