Introduction: In the age of globalization, people’s views of religion are becoming increasingly less united. There are differences between traditional religious beliefs and practices in the life of every individual, irrespective of the gender, year, or people’s profession. In the case of healthcare professionals, (working) as a nurse, being aware of the foundations of a particular religion helps to treat patients better during the course of treatment. In Slovenia, the majority of population is Catholic. It is important for a nurse to know the commandments and customs of Catholicism and other religions. The nurse’s role in the spiritual care process has been defined by various theoretical models. Their job is to gather information and identify the patient's spiritual needs. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to present the foundations of Christianity, religious customs and elements of the religion, as well as to emphasize the importance of knowing religious practices that are involved in health care. Methods: The descriptive method of work was used. A review of the professional and scientific literature was made using databases DiKUL and COBISS.SI cooperative online bibliographic system. Due to the research topic, the literature search was not time-limited. The literature review was conducted from April 2018 to December 2019. Results: Knowing the specifics and rituals of Christianity give nurses a better understanding and insight into individual needs of patients. We have highlighted the main features of Catholicism that can influence the performance of basic life activities. Discussion and conclusion: Healthcare professionals needs to be professional and competent in their work. Religious competences are underdeveloped in Slovenia, which is reflected in few studies done on this topic. The nurse has an important role when dealing with the patient because she must recognize the patient's needs. Due to varying degrees of belief, the nurse must have a good knowledge of religions and must not treat patients stereotypically. The nurse must identify the patient’s religion and find the best options and solutions for the course of treatment. Religious competences have always been of the utmost importance for nurses, since at the end of their lives, patients most often resort to faith (or have always been religious). It is faith that gives patients the power to relieve pain and recover faster.
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