Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A holistic approach to nursing integrates biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of health. Despite its importance, spiritual care often receives less attention than physical and psychological care. Studies show that nursing students lack the necessary competence in this area, preventing them to meet patients' spiritual needs. Developing spiritual sensitivity and competency in nursing students is essential for improving care quality. This study aimed to evaluate spiritual sensitivity and spiritual care competency among nursing students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, conducted at three nursing schools in Kerman, Southeastern Iran, involved 420 participants who completed questionnaires. Data were collected through in-person distribution of self-administered questionnaires at the nursing schools and hospitals. The instruments used included a demographic and background characteristics form, the Spiritual Care Competency Questionnaire for Nursing Students, and the Spiritual Sensitivity Questionnaire. RESULTS: Nursing students exhibited a mean spiritual care competency score of 91.92 ± 15.22 and a mean spiritual sensitivity score of 51.19 ± 12.43, reflecting a high level. A significant positive moderate correlation was found between spiritual care competency and spiritual sensitivity. Stepwise multiple linear regression showed that spiritual sensitivity, age, sex, nursing school, interest in nursing, self-perception as a spiritual person, and attendance in courses accounted for 45.3% of the variance in spiritual care competency (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings suggested an association between spiritual sensitivity and spiritual care competency, emphasizing the need to integrate spiritual care training into nursing education. Future research should explore other factors that may influence spiritual care competency and examine the impact of educational interventions. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.