The only concise reference about spiritual belief systems that is clinically relevant to nursing care. Distilling the religious and spiritual practices of more than 30 distinct belief systems, this unique nursing reference provides quick access to essential information. The invaluable resource spells out clinically relevant information from each tradition and provides nursing implications for each religion or denomination. Written by an internationally known scholar on spirituality, religion, and nursing care, the book was also reviewed by experts on each tradition and belief system. Individual chapters focus on a religious tradition or group of related traditions and includes a brief socio-historical context of the religion, beliefs and practices pertinent to health and health care, and bulleted information about nursing implications for obstetric, perinatal and pediatric care. Acute and chronic care, hospital and community-based care, and end-of-life care are also covered. The resource provides useful assessment tips, comforting messages, resources for further support, and additional guidance to help nurses practice religiously sensitive care. Key Features: Written in consistent, bulleted format for speedy access to information Covers more than 30 religions, denominations, and cultures encountered by nurses in North America Provides religious information specific to nursing care Includes assessment tips, comforting messages, and resources for additional support Serves as a text for undergraduate and advanced practice nursing students

Health care professionals, clergy, chaplains, social workers and others who counsel people in medical crisis often find themselves faced with deeply painful questions: Why is this happening to me? Am I dying? Why should I live? Im just a burden to others. The author, an internationally recognized expert in spiritual care giving, points out that wanting to help is one motivation for learning these skills, but there are also evidence-based reasons: helping patients express their innermost feelings promotes spiritual healing; spiritual health is related to physical and emotional health; spiritual coping helps patients accept and deal with their illness; and patients tend to want their health care professionals to know about their spirituality. Lessons, tips, and exercises teach how to listen effectively, with guidelines for detecting and understanding the spiritual needs embedded in patients conversations. Suggestions are provided for verbal responses to patients who express spiritual distress, including tips for building rapport, using self-disclosure, and praying with patients. A FAQ section deals with frequently asked questions and miscellaneous information, such as: What do I do when a patient talks on and on and I have to leave? How do I answer a why question? What do I say to a patient who believes a miracle will happen to cure them? What if Im not religious? How can I talk about it? By practicing and using these healing techniques, Taylor explains, health care professionals will be able to provide patients responses to their questions that allow them to become intellectually, emotionally, and physically aware of their spirituality so they can experience life more fully.

Named a 2012 PROSE Award Honorable Mention in the Nursing & Allied Health Sciences Category

Named a Choice Outstanding Academic Title

"This is an excellent resource for nurses to learn about the various religious beliefs and practices and ways to use this information therapeutically to enhance patient care. The consistent format of each chapter also helps readers compare and contrast the various religions. This is a must-have for any bedside nurse."Score: 97, 5 Stars--Doody's Medical Reviews

Taylor] handles a tough subject professionally and realistically. I highly recommend this practical book for students, nurses, and educators.--Journal of Christian Nursing

..".a highly nuanced and insightful collection that challenges readers to consider at a deeper level their own beliefs about the role of religion and spirituality in health care and how people practice their faith within a complex multicultural society. This reviewer finished the book hoping that non-nursing health care providers and administrators would look to this text for an extraordinarily comprehensive guide to respectful negotiation of religious (including atheistic) differences in settings of vulnerability...Essential."--Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries

Religion is a significant aspect of human experience that can provide a framework for an individual's response to a health challenge or transition. Individual religious beliefs, or those of a patient's family or community, may influence health care decisions and provide a means for coping. This book provides accessible and comprehensive information about various religions, offering nurses insight into their patients' religious beliefs and practices and thereby enhancing therapeutic care.

The centerpiece of this book is the compilation of information about diverse religions written by highly knowledgeable religionists. The reference includes information, formatted concisely and consistently, on a religion's history and theology; views on health and suffering; explanations for disease; beliefs and practices related to birthing, childrearing, and dying; healing rituals; corporate religious resources for the sick; and more. Prefacing this information are chapters discussing clinical aspects of addressing religion at the bedside. These include strategies for sensitive and respectful communication about religion with patients, assessing a patient's religious beliefs, supporting bedside rituals that are part of a patient's religion, and understanding ethical and legal considerations. The book also provides a comprehensive list of additional resources. Key Features:

Provides quick access to information about the 20-plus families of religions most prevalent among Americans and others in English-speaking First World countries Presents practical and concise information about various religions in a succinct table format Offers detailed communication techniques for clinicians who are uncomfortable discussing religion with patients Includes techniques for self-assessment of religious views and values and how these can affect care Presents legal and ethical aspects of addressing religiosity in patient care