Religion and Nursing Practice
Religion and Nursing Practice Essay
Religion and Nursing Practice Essay

Spirituality Reflective Writing NURS 323 Pathophysiology Select a body system and identify one disease process that fascinates you most as a creation of God. Answer the following questions relating to the disease process. 1. What aspects of normal anatomy is interesting to you and why? 2. What factors have caused the damage to the normal anatomy and physiology? 3. How can we restore the healing process? 4. What is the role of prayer, influence of religion and culture relating to this disease process? 5. Conclusion with a call to action or something meanYou have been assigned required readings on spirituality in your course. You may choose one or more chapters from each assigned book to read. You will then write a reflection paper regarding your thoughts, meaningful ideas, feelings, and/or reactions, and the application of these to nursing practice or your own spiritual growth and self-care. 1. Paper is typed in at least 2-3 pages, double spaced and turned in on time via D2L or email to your professor, with coversheet title page in APA format; thoughtful, suitable title 10 Points 2. Introductory paragraph is attention-getting 10 Points 3. Spelling, grammar, mechanics, and usage are correct throughout paper 10 Points 4. Answers all questions and thoughts are expressed in a coherent and logical manner. 20 Points 5. Viewpoints and interpretations are insightful, demonstrating an in-depth knowledge, and understanding of the disease process and reflecting the role of prayer, region and culture influence on healing on the disease process. . 20 Points 6. Concluding paragraph sums up information, reiterates ideas and opinions, and leaves reader with a call to action or something meaningful to remember 10 Points 7. Pertinent reference sources are skillfully woven throughout paper without over use of quotations but, rather, attempt to paraphrase 10 Points 8. References are properly cited in APA format with no plagiarism. 5 Points 9. At least 3 references are cited in paper, including a reference from current class assigned chapter readings in Mauk, a reading in an assigned chapter in White, Anatomy & Physiology, and pathophysiology text and one journal article of your own choice. 5 Points Total 100 Possible Points Actual Points = References: Mauk, K. L., & Schmidt, N. K. (2004). Spiritual care in nursing practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott. White, E. G. (2011). The Ministry of healing. Guildford, UK: White Crow Books. Journal article: APA format reference that you may use for free: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ It is recommended that you upload your paper into Turnitin on D2L to check for plagiarism prior to submission to your professor. Also, to check for correct grammar, use the Grammar. ingful to remember PLEASE DO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING 1. Readings in E.G. White, The Ministry of Healing Chapt 5 Healing of the Soul Chapt 16 Prayer for the Sick 2.Readings in Mauk and Schmidt, Spiritual Care in Nursing Practice: Chapter 4 Introduction to Influences of Religion and Culture on Nursing 3. Any other reference of your choice Religion and Nursing Practice Essay

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Spirituality and the Nexus Between Religion and Nursing Practice

The aspect of normal anatomy that is interesting to me involves the normal functioning of the human brain. The brain of the human person is a fascinating creation or evolution (depending on one’s belief). It is in that organ that all other functions and processes of the human body are controlled. Thought itself and the conceptualisation of good and bad reside in the brain. Furthermore, the concept of spirituality is resident in the mind, which itself has a complex interconnectedness with the brain. That the brain is made of millions of neurons is what interests me most. This is because the neurons are not even a continuous strand or fibre of organic material. Rather, each of them is an independent cell that is not directly connected to the next. A gap exists between two adjacent neurons, and it is through this gap that impulses are passed from one neuron to another using chemical carriers known as neurotransmitters. Some of these are acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin. When disease strikes, most of the times it normally targets the neurotransmitters to disrupt proper functioning of the brain. Symptoms then manifest as mental disease.

The factors that then cause damage to the normal anatomy and physiology of the brain are factors that disrupt the transmission of impulses, or interfere with the integrity of the neurons. An example of a disease condition that results from the former is the psychosis known as schizophrenia, while for the latter the example is the demyelinating condition multiple sclerosis. Another factor that can also cause damage to the normal anatomy and physiology of the brain is a physical or physiological accident. A physical accident is like a fall or a motor vehicle accident, while a physiological accident is like a stroke (bursting of a blood vessel in the brain).

How We Can Restore the Healing Process

Restoration of the healing process from a holistic nursing perspective will involve both physical therapies and spiritual nourishment. In other words, healing will not be directed only at the physical element which is the brain. Rather, it will be directed at the whole person’s mind, body, and spirit. This is where spirituality and the nexus between it and nursing come in. According to Mauk and Schmidt (2004), health and spirituality have had a close connection for a long time. In fact, the basis of traditional medicine especially in the Orient has been spirituality coupled with the usual physical factors. In conventional medical practice, nurses have always been concerned with the spirituality of their patients, particularly those that they know will not live for long as they suffer from terminal illness (Hussey, 2009). As such, holistic nursing is also important in restoring the healing process. Religion and Nursing Practice Essay

Role of Prayer, Influence of Religion and Culture in Illness

Religion teaches that most of the human afflictions are a result of sinning and a person brings them to themselves. As such, spirituality has it that prayer can undo this and restore health. Spirituality and religion also dictate that God will heal without discriminating against those that have sinned and fallen ill. A good example is the paralytic at Capernaum who was healed by Jesus, even though he had fallen sick because of his own transgressions (White, 2011). Culturally, most of us have been brought up to believe strongly that despite tangible physical cures (conventional medicine), spirituality still plays an important part in the healing process. That is why nurses have to adopt a holistic attitude to patient care.

In conclusion, we need to appreciate that the normal functioning of the human body is prone to disruption by illness. The treatment of this illness however depends on both physical measures and spiritual intervention. As nurses, we should therefore always care for our patients holistically by including religious and cultural aspects of therapy and healing.

References

Hussey, T. (2009). Nursing and spirituality. Nursing Philosophy, 10(2), 71–80. Doi:10.1111/j.1466-769x.2008.00387.x

Mauk, K.L., & Schmidt, N.K. (2004). Spiritual care in nursing practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott.

White, E.G. (2011). The ministry of healing. Guildford, UK: White Crow Books. Religion and Nursing Practice Essay