title: Spiritual care at the end of life.
abstract: Spiritual care at the end of life focuses on integration and peacemaking for patients and their families. This article will discuss the work of "letting go" for patients, families, and staff as well. Addressing these tasks honors commitments to significant relationships, both personal and professional, and provides healing and closure. Critical care nurses provide spiritual care when they participate in activities as diverse as story telling, advocating for their patients' wishes, addressing suffering and pain. Caring for the dying requires competence in all aspects of end of life care and the ability to build trusting relationships.
authors.affiliation: St. Thomas Hospital, Nashville, TN 37212-3115, USA. Mogorman@stthomas.org
authors.forename: Mary Lou
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: O'Gorman
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers; D002604:Chaplaincy Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010327:Pastoral Care; D029181:Spirituality; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*