Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the lived experiences of critical care nurses with Muslim traditional practices. Methodology: A phenomenological approach was used in the study to gain the critical care nurses' perspectives of Muslim traditional illness practices. The realised sample was six participants, from intensive care units within one provincial and one private hospital. The researcher applied the principle of theoretical saturation, which was achieved at the verifying interviews of the participants. Two semi- structured interviews were conducted with each participant an initial and a verifying interview, each of which lasted 20 - 30 minutes. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Manual data analysis was used to identify categories and themes. Findings: The participants were open-minded to the Muslim clients' belief system on healing and agreed that the clients' cultural beliefs took precedence over their own beliefs. The participants believed that Muslims relied on traditional illness practices as these provided them with hope and faith in times of despair as well as provided them with emotional and spiritual contentment. A number of methods were used by the participants to acquire knowledge about Muslim traditional illness practices. There was great support for the delivery of culturally sensitive care amongst the critical care nurses. Recommendations were suggested for nursing education, nursing practice and further research to facilitate the creation of a culturally sensitive climate in health care delivery.

Thesis (M.N.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.