There are a lot of English words and vocabularies used differently by people with diverse personalities when speaking, reading or writing, to convey a particular message. It is mind-numbing and unimaginable to think of a world where people, places or objects would be referred to using one word or a limited number of words.
There are however, particular English words that have multiple interpretations and uses. This paper shall look at the various interpretations of the word ‘spirit’, and its uses in the field of nursing.
The word spirit is used in reference to the part of a human being that is associated with the mind, will, and feelings. This description of the word spirit gives us the concept of spirituality, which according to Mauk (2004), can be defined as “the core of a person’s being, involving one’s relationship with God or a higher power”.
An individual’s spiritual health is evaluated based on their internal and external traits, and not on the basis of the factors that may result in their spiritual health. People who are said to be spiritually healthy are observed to have a clear perception of the world that enables them to understand reality, as well as provide them with a coherent belief system. This clear perception is a product of their belief in a higher power or larger reality.
The word spirit is also used to refer to a petroleum distillate that is used as a degreaser, or an industrial cleaning agent (Irvin, 1997). This spirit is also referred to as Stoddard solvent. White spirit, also referred to as mineral spirit, is a clear liquid that is distilled from petroleum.
This spirit is an organic solvent that is used in painting and decorating, as an alternative to turpentine when thinning paints and cleaning paint brushes. Another use for the mineral spirits is in degreasing and cleaning of machinery, due to its low volatility. Mineral spirits can also be used as a lubricant for screws (Irwin, 2007).
Spirits are a familiar ingredient in the manufacture of alcoholic drinks, garnishes and mixers (Arnold, 2005). Lichine (1987), defines spirits as “Unsweetened, distilled, alcoholic beverages that have an alcohol content of at least 20%”. Spirits are made from the distillation of alcohol; a process that involves heating the alcohol until it vaporizes, before it is cooled and condensed.
Sollier (1912), provides us with the fourth interpretation of the word spirit; an intangible being with the ability to influence human events. Occurrences such as voluntary determinations, which are divine, are viewed as supernatural by people who advocate a deterministic view of the world that does not believe in free will (Sollier, 1912).
There is a particular kind of spirit that is used to treat fainting. The aromatic ammonia spirit is used as a respiratory stimulant in syncope, weakness, or threatened faint (McCrory, 2006).
The word spirit can also be used in the field of nursing as a synonym for vivacity. In the profession of nursing, the metaphor, ‘spirited nurse’ can be used to show passion and dedication to helping others. Such a nurse can be said to be highly motivated, and one who seeks to make a difference in their profession.
Reaching out to those in need is as simple as extending a hand. The spirit of nursing, in my practice, is evident beyond clinical application. My involvement symbolizes the caring nature that is carefully interwoven into the methodical details of nursing.
The body reflects the notion of integration of the body and spirit. “Spiritual care can be a natural part of total care, which fits easily into the nursing process of assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation” (Jenkins, Wikoff, Amankwaa, & Trent, 2009).
The term holistic nursing is used to refer to the healing process in entirety. Healing the whole person involves the body, mind and spirit, of both the patient and the care-giver or nurse. It is vital for the nurses, as care-givers, to learn how to take good care of the themselves, in order to improve their effectiveness. Good care looks into physical, emotional and spiritual well being.
According to Murray (2001), the spiritual dimension tries to be in harmony with the universe by going outside a person’s own power. The spiritual dimension also “strives for answers about the infinite, and especially comes into focus or sustaining power, when the person faces emotional stress, physical illness, or death” (Murray, 2001).
It is the role of nurses as caregivers to provide their patients with holistic nursing, since there are numerous positive effects of spirituality on health, well-being and life satisfaction. Spiritual care provides the patients with a sense of serenity and well-being, even in their agony or sorrow due to illness.
This is important in the recovery process of patients, since studies have indicated higher chances of survival for patients who have a sense of meaning (Jenkins, Wikoff, Amankwaa, & Trent, 2009).
According to Roberts (1925), the spirit of nursing is indestructible, as it comprises qualities such as courage, truthfulness, tolerance, courtesy, generosity, benevolence, compassion and sympathy. She compares the spirit of nursing to the tender care a mother gives to her children. This is the spirit that allows nurses to volunteer in societies such as Red Cross, since such people are brave even in the face of discouragement (Roberts, 1925).
References
Arnold, J. P. (2005). Origin and History of Beer and Brewing: From Prehistoric Times to the Beginning of Brewing Science and Technology. Cleveland, Ohio: Beerbooks.
Irwin, R. (1997). Environmental Contaminants Encyclopedia Mineral Spirits Entry. Fort Collins, Colorado: Natural Park Services, Water Resources Division.
Jenkins, M. L., Wikoff, K., Amankwaa, L. & Trent, B. (2009). Nursing the spirit. Nursing Management , 40(8), 29-36.
Lichine, A. (1987). Alexis Lichine’s New Encyclopedia of Wines and Spirits. New York: Alfred Knopf.
Mauk, K. L. & Schmidt, N. K. (2004). Spiritual Care In Nursing Practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott.
McCrory, P. (2006). Smelling Salts. British Journal of Sports Medicine , 659-660.
Murray, R. B. & Zentner, J. P. (2001). Health Promotion strategies through the life span. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Roberts, M. M. (1925). The Spirit of Nursing. The American Journal of Nursing , 25(9), 734-739.
Sollier, J. (1912). Supernatural Order. New York: Robert Appleton Company.