Christian spirituality places a strong emphasis on love, kindness, and service to others, which aligns closely with the principles of compassionate care in nursing. The Bible encourages believers to treat others with empathy and respect, as seen in Colossians 3:12 (Holy Bible: New International Version., 1973/2011), which states, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” This verse highlights the core values that nurses should embody when caring for patients, particularly in moments of vulnerability.
One-way Christian spirituality influences compassionate care is through the concept of servant leadership, modeled by Jesus Christ. In Mark 10:45 (NIV, 1973/2011), Jesus states, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” Nurses who integrate this perspective prioritize their patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, fostering a healing environment that extends beyond medical treatment.
Christian spirituality encourages holistic care, recognizing the connection of mind, body, and spirit. This perspective aligns with evidence-based nursing models, such as Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, which emphasizes treating patients as whole beings rather than just addressing their symptoms (Watson, 2024). By incorporating Christian principles, nurses can provide patient-centered care that is not only clinically effective but also deeply compassionate.
References:
Watson, J. (2024). Watson’s Caring Science & Human Caring Theory. Watson Caring Science Institute. https://www.watsoncaringscience.org/jean-bio/caring-science-theory/
Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1973)