Factors Influencing the Caring Ability of Clinical Nurses

Purpose: The study aimed to identify the effects of nurses’ moral sensitivity and empathy on their caring ability. Methods: Totally, 139 nurses from U city and B city completed a self-report questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS/WIN 23.0 software. Results: The mean scores for moral sensitivity, empathy, and caring ability were 4.86, 3.59, and 4.06, respectively. There were significant differences in caring ability according to age, marital status, professional position, career status, and job satisfaction. Cognitive empathy (β=.36, p<.001), professional responsibility (β=.26, p=.001), and position (β=.20, p=.010) were identified as significant factors influencing caring ability. These variables accounted for 27% of the total variance in caring ability. Cognitive empathy emerged as the most important variable. Conclusion: Organizational-level educational and program-development studies are recommended to increase empathy and caring abilities in nurses . The findings specifically advocate for replicating the study using various tools that measure empathy, the most influential variable influencing caring ability.