Perceived professional competence in spiritual care and predictive role of spiritual intelligence in Iranian nursing students

Abstract

Aim/objectiveThe aim of this study was to identify the relationship between perceived competence in spiritual care and spiritual intelligence among nursing students. BackgroundOne of the most important duties of nurses is to pay attention to the spiritual needs of patients and provide them with proper spiritual care. Therefore, professional competence in this area is essential for nurses and nursing students. Also, spiritual intelligence is a factor influencing the caring behaviors of nurses. DesignA cross-sectional and correlational study Settings/ParticipantsThis study was included 510 undergraduate nursing students in two public faculties of nursing in Iran in the 2018-2019 academic year. MethodsThe samples were selected using a census method. A demographic information questionnaire, the valid and reliable Iranian questionnaire of nurses' competencies in spiritual care and the spiritual intelligence self-report inventory (SISRI) were used to collect data. ResultsA significant positive correlation was found between nursing students’ competence in spiritual care and spiritual intelligence (p < 0.001, r = 0.26). No significant differences were found between the mean competence scores of spiritual care in terms of demographic characteristics. There were significant differences between the mean spiritual intelligence score in terms of age, marital status, history of clinical practice and academic year. The regression model indicated that for increased rates of spiritual intelligence, professional competence in spiritual care would rise as much as 0.39. ConclusionSpiritual intelligence can affect the competence of nursing students in providing spiritual care to patients. Therefore, to promote students' spiritual intelligence, appropriate plans with the aim of promoting the level of critical thinking and spiritual self-awareness are recommended.