Effects of Nursing Students' Empathy and Interpersonal Competence on Ideal Nurse Attributes

Nurse attributes encompass one's character, competence, proficient skills, and ability to participate in hospital policies and social problems. Previous studies have not adequately examined the factors influencing the formation of nurse attributes. Therefore, this study explored 10 ideal nurse attributes and analyzed effects of influential factors on their formation.

This is a descriptive quantitative study that examined nursing students' empathy, interpersonal competence, and nurse attributes. Participants were 247 nursing students from two universities in South Korea. The correlations among the variables and the factors affecting nurse attributes were identified.

Positive correlations existed between empathy, interpersonal competence, and 10 ideal nurse attributes. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that interpersonal competence, grade level, satisfaction with major, empathy, club participation, and peer relations were major factors influencing nurse attributes.

It is necessary to develop an effective education program to improve nursing students' empathy, interpersonal competence, and nurse attributes. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(3):130-135.].