The Relationship Between Personality Traits of Intensive Care Nurses and Individualized Care Provided to Patients

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between personality traits of intensive care nurses and individualized care provided to patients. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 267 intensive care nurses. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Big Five Inventory and Individualized Care Scale for Nurses. The STROBE guidelines were followed for reporting purposes. Results: The mean score of ICS-Nurse-A was determined as 3.95±0.71, and the mean score of ICS-Nurse-B was determined as 3.99±0.74. Female nurses were determined to have higher neuroticism and openness personality traits. It was further determined that nurses with higher seniority in the nursing profession and in the intensive care unit were more extrovert and responsibility/self-disciplined and provided more qualified individualized care. Furthermore nurses who were satisfied with their profession and who have willingly decided to be a nurse were found to be agreeable and responsibility and provided more qualified individualized care. Conclusions: Personality traits were found to have a significant effect on nurses' perceptions of supporting patients' individuality and individualizing care processes. It was concluded that intensive care nurses with personality traits such as responsibility, openness and agreeableness provide more qualified individualized care.