Jahrom University of Medical Sciences Pars Journal of Medical Sciences 2717-0284 23 4 2026 02 20 Explaining the challenges of nurses in providing spiritual care with an emphasis on religious practices: A qualitative study Explaining the challenges of nurses in providing spiritual care with an emphasis on religious practices: A qualitative study 51 61 736459 10.22034/pjms.2026.2088865.1283 FA Lotfollah Dezhkam Associate Professor, Department of Medical Ethics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 0000-0003-3810-238X Navid Kalani Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran 0000-0003-1900-4215 Mansour Tafvizi Department of Medical Ethics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 0000-0001-5078-821x Ehsan Rahmanian Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran. 0000-0002-1321-8688 Journal Article 2025 11 17 Introduction: Spiritual care in religious communities is intertwined with religious concepts and programs, and nurses require the necessary ability, competence, and appropriate context to provide optimal spiritual care to patients.<br>Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a conventional content analysis approach on nurses working in hospitals of Jahrom city in the year 2024. The sampling method was purposive, and data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions, continuing until data saturation was achieved.<br>Results: The results obtained from 12 interviews comprised five main categories and fifteen subcategories including: lack of knowledge and training, limited time for providing care, physical limitations of the hospital environment, cultural and linguistic challenges, and gender-related issues.<br>Conclusion: The study results indicate that nurses face challenges in providing spiritual care and supporting patients in performing religious practices. Therefore, managers and planners need to provide the grounds for improving personal competencies as well as infrastructural and structural conditions to address these challenges. Introduction: Spiritual care in religious communities is intertwined with religious concepts and programs, and nurses require the necessary ability, competence, and appropriate context to provide optimal spiritual care to patients.<br>Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a conventional content analysis approach on nurses working in hospitals of Jahrom city in the year 2024. The sampling method was purposive, and data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions, continuing until data saturation was achieved.<br>Results: The results obtained from 12 interviews comprised five main categories and fifteen subcategories including: lack of knowledge and training, limited time for providing care, physical limitations of the hospital environment, cultural and linguistic challenges, and gender-related issues.<br>Conclusion: The study results indicate that nurses face challenges in providing spiritual care and supporting patients in performing religious practices. Therefore, managers and planners need to provide the grounds for improving personal competencies as well as infrastructural and structural conditions to address these challenges. https://jmj.jums.ac.ir/article_736459_903744e1a0078bae62bab29f77d81643.pdf