Reflection on the Importance of Spirituality in Culturally Safe Healthcare

Running head: REFLECTION 1
Reflection
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REFLECTION 2
Description
In this particular assignment, I will use the Gibbs reflection cycle to reflect on the
importance of spirituality in providing culturally safe healthcare to the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders. A culturally safe nursing practice is an approach to care where the patient is
empowered and allowed to make their own decisions. The nurse in this case only provides
information but is the patient to decide what is good or bad to him (Brown, Middleton, Fereday,
& Pincombe, 2016). The Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders acknowledge the importance of
spirituality during sickness. Recent studies show that spirituality has positively impacted the
health well-being of the Aboriginal. Majority of them report improved health after spiritual
interventions (Campbell, Hunt, Scrimgeour, Davey, & Jones, 2018). Furthermore, spirituality has
had a huge impact on myself as a healthcare expert. I have learnt that as a nurse, I need to value
spirituality of any patient. I need to allow a patient engage in spiritual activities such as inviting
the chaplain or any other spiritual leader of the patient’s choice to offer encouragement and
guidance to the patient while they are sick.
Feelings
In the entire unit, I was very excited. Previously, I thought it is the sole responsibility of a
nurse to make decisions on behalf of the patient. I also thought that spirituality is not important
during treatment. I believed that the best thing for a patient is adherence to the prescribed
treatment regimen. Little did I know that spirituality can improve the well-being of a patient. The
concept of spirituality therefore got me excited (Smith, Fatima, & Knight, 2017). After this unit
that focus on cultural safety of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders, that notion has
changed. At the moment, I have realized or feel that it is necessary for a nurse to give a nod on
the spiritual desires of the patient (McGough, Wynaden, & Wright, 2017). I therefore feel

REFLECTION 3
accomplished as a nurse and am ready to incorporate culturally safe care especially spirituality to
not only the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders but all patients in general.
Critical evaluation
Throughout the unit, everything was positive. According to studies, health from the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders acknowledge the value of spirituality in healthcare.
Spirituality is defined as an attachment to religious values and morals (Campbell, Hunt,
Scrimgeour, Davey, & Jones, 2018). The studies further explain that when spiritual needs of a
patient are met, the patient can function in a very meaningful manner (Wain et al., 2016).
Spirituality is therefore important since it will enable nurses to meet the desires or needs of the
patient. Normally, I dodnt respond in the same way. I have always believed that it is the nurse to
make decision without consulting the patient. After this unit however, I have changed that
perspective.
I knew what I knew through the extensive lectures by my professors and the discussion
with my classmates. My response to the whole unit has been phenomenal. I have really enjoyed
the unit about spirituality since I know it will bolster my expertise while caring for the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders
Analysis and conclusion
Previously, I did not know that there are different factors that have influenced my
attitudes and beliefs about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Environmental
factors have been on the fore front. Since these communities are my neighbors, I have had a
chance to see how spirituality works well for them. I have in most cases seen them seek spiritual
intervention when they are sick (Dell, Firestone, Smylie, & Vaillancourt, 2015). Majority of the