Objective:

to describe the meaning of spiritual care provided by nurses to palliative care patients.

Methods:

this is a qualitative, descriptive study; with nurses from second level health care institutions in the state of Guanajuato. Selection of participants by convenience sampling with 9 participants. Data collection through semi-structured audio-recorded interview, thematic data analysis; ethical criteria were respected, participants signed an informed consent.

Results:

six themes emerged: caring for patients' needs, Meaning of spirituality, Accompaniment, relief and support, Caring for respect of beliefs, Difficulties experienced in spiritual care and Need for changes in spiritual care.

Conclusions:

the meaning of nursing spiritual care considers the connection with nature and the universe and beliefs and practices; this connection is born in caring for one's needs that foster comfort, spirituality gives meaning to spiritual care as accompanying, relieving and supporting taking into account respect for beliefs. Difficulties are found in spiritual care and a need for changes in it in order to incorporate it into daily care.

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