An Evolutionary Concept Analysis of Spiritual Competence in Nursing

AIMS: Clarify the concept of spiritual competence in the context of nursing through evidence-based extraction of attributes, antecedents and consequences. DESIGN: Concept analysis. METHODS: Rodgers' evolutionary method of concept analysis guided this analysis, and we followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. RESULTS: An analysis of 45 studies clarified the concept of spiritual competence in the context of nursing. Spiritual competence in nursing is a dynamic process that, once initiated by nurses' spiritual awareness, promotes their spiritual well-being, their spiritual knowledge and skills and their sense of spiritual-care self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive understanding and clear conceptual definition of the concept of spiritual competence in nursing will enable researchers to overcome barriers and foster nurses' development of spiritual competence to provide spiritual care in nursing. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE: The clarified concept of spiritual competence in nursing can help to shape education and clinical-training programs for nurses in a way that supports their ability to provide spiritual care and promote patient well-being and positive health outcomes. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution was essential to the conduct of this research.