Relationship Between Nursing Students’ Professional Competence in Spiritual Care and Spiritual Intelligence

Abstract

Introduction: Spiritual care can have positive effects on physical and mental health of patients; facilitates healing process and increases patients' satisfaction. Spiritual intelligence can also be a contributing factor to nurse caring behaviors. This study aims to determine relationship between nursing students’ professional competence in spiritual care and Spiritual Intelligence. Methods: A descriptive correlation study was conducted on 140 nursing students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in 2016. Subjects were selected using a census method. Data collection instrument consisted of demographic questions, Spiritual Intelligence and professional competence in spiritual care questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive Statistics and inferential statistics including independent t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, correlation coefficient, and linear regression in SPSS19. Results: Significant and positive correlation was found between nursing students’ competence in spiritual care and Spiritual Intelligence (P<0.001, r = -0.33). There was only a significant difference in Spiritual Intelligence between those who had attended training courses and who didn’t have these courses. Regression model indicated that for increased rates of Spiritual Intelligence, professional competence in spiritual care will rise as much as 0.54. Conclusion: Spiritual Intelligence can have an impact on nursing students' competencies in spiritual care. Accordingly, planning to improve the Spiritual Intelligence and nursing students’ competence in spiritual care is recommended.

Keywords

• nursing students
• professional competence
• spiritual care
• spiritual intelligence