SPIRITUALITY IN CARE: EDUCATIONAL GAPS AND DIAGNOSTIC PERSPECTIVES IN CONTEMPORARY NURSING

Abstract

Introduction: Spirituality has been recognized as an important dimension in comprehensive care, contributing to coping with illness, emotional strengthening, and patient well-being. However, its integration into nursing practice is still marked by conceptual difficulties, educational limitations, and challenges related to identifying spiritual needs during care. Objective: To analyze, in the light of scientific literature, the conceptual and practical challenges of integrating spirituality into the nursing care process, discussing the impact of academic education on the consolidation of comprehensive care. Methodology: This is a reflective study based on a qualitative and descriptive literature review. The search was conducted in the SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases using the descriptors Spirituality, Religiosity, Nursing Care, Nursing Diagnosis, and Academic Education. Twelve studies published between 2020 and 2026 were selected for analysis. Results: The studies showed that spirituality contributes to the humanization of care and to coping with the health-disease process. However, its application remains limited by difficulties in distinguishing spirituality, religiosity, and religion, as well as by the insufficient inclusion of this topic in academic training. Weaknesses related to the use of nursing diagnoses focused on the spiritual dimension were also identified. Conclusion: The effective incorporation of spirituality into nursing care requires stronger academic training, continuous professional qualification, and greater conceptual clarity, enabling more comprehensive, ethical, and patient-centered care.