Research on the formation of humanistic care ability in nursing students: A structural equation approach

Abstract Objective To construct and test a hypothetical model linking the caring ability of nursing students with empathy ability, emotional intelligence, and communication ability. Method Participants were 851 students from three undergraduate colleges and one junior college in China, Gansu Province. Participating students had to fulfill the following requirements: different levels of nursing majors (undergraduates or junior college students), understand the study purpose, and be willing to participate in this study. Exclusion: secondary college students. Variables were measured by the Caring Ability Inventory, Emotional Intelligence Scale, Supportive Communicative Scale, and Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Data were analyzed with structural equation modeling to explore the path relationships and mutual effects between structural elements. Results Empathy (β = 0.25, P Conclusions The nurse's humanistic care ability requires continuous learning and school education. To enhance the humanistic care ability of nursing students, nursing educators should develop target strategies to improve the ‘sympathetic ability,’ ‘emotional intelligence’ and ‘communication ability’ of nursing students.