Strengthening transcendent meaning. A model for the spiritual nursing care of patients experiencing suffering.

The purpose of this article is to present a model for the spiritual nursing care of patients experiencing suffering. Meaningless suffering can lead to spiritual disintegration. However, the finding of transcendent meaning in the suffering experience can be a profound attenuator of how the suffering is experienced. This model outlines five categories for a comprehensive spiritual assessment: (a) authority and guidance, (b) experience and emotions, (c) community, (d) rituals and practices, and (e) vocation and consequences. For each of the five categories, interventions are identified that could strengthen transcendent meaning in the suffering.