title: Developing a plan for pediatric spiritual care.
abstract: During life-changing events, people turn to spirituality for comfort, hope, and relief. This article raises nurses' awareness of and intent to provide spiritual care for children and families as part of overall quality care. Essential nursing knowledge for the development of a plan of care that includes the child's spirituality, religion, and culture, developmental stage, age-appropriate spiritual care activities, and the needs of the family are presented.
authors.affiliation: Volunteers of America Staten Island Early Learning Center, Staten Island, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elkins
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cavendish
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D018939:Holistic Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D002666:Psychology, Child; D029181:Spirituality