Collaboration between nurses and chaplains for spiritual caregiving.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss three ambiguities that may accompany nurse-chaplain collaboration in providing spiritual care: confusion about the meaning of "spiritual" and related terms, spiritual assessment and the referral process, and the role of clergy.


METHODS
Review and research articles related to nursing and pastoral care, and documented standards.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective nurse-chaplain collaboration is necessary (especially considering current health care system changes) to provide adequate spiritual care. Additionally, the increased involvement of both nurses and chaplains in ethical issues is likely to make nurse-chaplain collaboration increasingly important.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses must collaborate with chaplains and relate to clergy to provide spiritual care for cancer patients and families. Knowledge of assessment differences between nurses and chaplains, terminology, and role of clergy will enhance this collaboration.
VandeCreek
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Department of Pastoral Care, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus 43210, USA.
D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010327:Pastoral Care; D012069:Religion and Psychology