Relationships among student and graduate caring ability and professional school climate

This study represents the second phase in a longitudinal study of the development of caring ability in registered nurses. A nationwide sample of female graduates of US baccalaureate nursing programs was resurveyed 3 years after the phase-one survey taken during nursing school. The purpose of the study was to continue an evaluation of several variables contributing to the development of professional caring ability. Previously validated instruments were used to measure caring ability (Caring Ability Inventory), maternal and paternal care (Parental Bonding Instrument), and the caring climate of the respective nursing schools (Charles F. Kettering Ltd. School Climate Profile). Although parental bonding scores remained unchanged from the initial survey, caring ability scores significantly increased after entry into practice (paired student's t test, P < .001). The strongest predictor of postgraduate caring ability was student caring ability scores (r = .58, P < .001). When student caring ability scores were excluded as a potential predictor during stepwise multiple regression analysis, school climate scores were the strongest predictor of postgraduate caring ability (r = .17, P < .05). This suggests that development of professional caring ability is related to caring school environments. Furthermore, caring ability as a student predicts further development of caring ability after entry into practice.