The Effect of Spiritual Well-Being of Perioperative Nurses on Compassion

PurposeThis study aimed to determine the effects of spiritual well-being of perioperative nurses on their compassion.DesignThis was a prospective and cross-sectional study.MethodsThe sample for this study included 168 perioperative nurses working in the surgical clinics of a research hospital. Data was collected between August and October 2020 using “Nurses' Descriptive Characteristics, Compassion and Three-factor Spiritual Well-Being Scales”. Descriptive statistics, correlation and simple regression analysis were used to analyze the data.FindingsOur sample included 51% between the ages of 22 and 30, 85.7% women, 73.8% undergraduates, 33.3% general surgery clinicians, and 41.7% with a work experience of 5 to 9 years. Perioperative nurses were found to have moderate compassion and close to a good level spiritual well-being. Although all the descriptive features of the nurses contributed to their spiritual well-being, it was determined that the education level, the clinics they worked in and their working years in the profession were important factors in determining their compassion. Positive correlation was found between the Compassion and Spiritual Well-Being Scales (r = 1.000; P < .05).ConclusionsWe found that the spiritual well-being of perioperative nurses had an effect on compassion. Every patient deserves compassionate care. If spirituality increases compassion, it is acceptable for nurses to increase their awareness and knowledge of spiritual values.