Moments That Last Forever. Issue 4 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allen, Barbara; Kautz, Donald D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of palliative care. Volume 31:Issue 4(2015)
• Page Start: 270
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Terminal care -- Periodicals; 362.17505
• DOI: 10.1177/082585971503100411
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0825-8597

Abstract

This is the story of how Nurse Barbara Allen, one of the authors, met the spiritual needs of her patient, Kenny, through prayer as part of his end-of-life care. While prayer may not be a nurse's priority, it may be essential for some patients and their families, especially when death is near (1). Furthermore, the Joint Commission (2) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (3), which provides Magnet certification, have both encouraged nurses to address the spiritual needs of patients and their families. Barbara's prayer was appropriate because it was focused on Kenny's needs and beliefs, not hers. Being coercive and evangelizing and proselytizing is never appropriate for nurses (1). However, Barbara's story shows how when we stop to pray and be with patients in the moment, we can change ourselves and our patients forever. This is Barbara's story: