Good nurse characteristics tool: development and psychometric testing

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometrically analyze the characteristics of the good nurse from the perspective of service recipients. Methods The current research was conducted namely in 2 qualitative and psychometric phases. In the first stage, the items of the questionnaire were designed by interviews with nursing service recipients, and in the next stage, construct validity, content validity, face validity, reliability, and internal consistency were all reviewed. Results Based on the results of the content analysis of the interview with nursing service recipients and related literature review, an 80-item questionnaire was designed. After analyzing its content validity, 40 items were validated and 40 were eliminated, which were prepared by using exploratory factor analysis, 6 factors of attentive and communicative, patron and companionable, complete caregiver, safer and skillful, advocate and confidant. The reliability of the tool was assessed by applying Cronbach’s alpha method of 0.90. Conclusions “The good nurse characteristics tool” could be used to assess the service receivers’ point of view and provide useful information regarding nurses’ performance to managers and nurses and will provide the basis for improving the quality of nursing services.