Spirituality and sense of mission in the profession of a nurse

Introduction. Spirituality has multidimensional character and is an attribute of man. Spirituality fully the function of regulating the activity of man. Thus understood, the spiritual dimension is the mission of nursing. Looking after requires enter into a very close, professional relationship with the subject of care. The nature of this professional relationship depends on nurse, particularly in aspects of the therapeutic communication with patients in care.

Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the level of spirituality of nurses and to determine the relationship between the level of spirituality and perception of mission in nurses’ work.

Material and methods. The study was conducted among 116 (97%) of female nurses and 4 (3%) male nurses employed. The average age of the nurses was 45.7 years (SD = 5.50), length of service in the profession — 22.9 years (SD = 7.47). The method used was the diagnostic survey. The research tools were: Self-report Questionnaire (Heszen-Niejodek, Gruszczyńska, Metlak) and author’s questionnaire.

Results. Average score on a scale of spirituality in the study group was 77.29 (SD = 11.79). Nurses with higher levels of spirituality achieved higher scores on the scale of a sense of mission - often treat the work as a mission, a kind of service to other people (p < 0.05). High scores on a scale of spirituality positively correlated with the results on a scale of satisfaction with their work (p < 0.05), and involvement in patient care (p < 0.05). High scores on a scale of spirituality correlate negatively with a sense of fatigue work (p < 0.05), and deterioration of relationships with others (p < 0.05).

Conclusions. The dimension of spirituality directly associated with a sense of mission in the performance of the nursing profession. Spirituality allows nurses to deal with the difficulties in their work.

Nursing Topics 2014; 22 (2): 165–171