The empathy level and caring behaviors perceptions of nursing students: A cross-sectional and correlational study

Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate the empathy level and caring behaviors perceptions of nursing students. Method This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 276 nursing students. Results The mean Empathic Tendency Scale score was 62.71 +/- 5.10 (min. 20 to max. 100), indicating a low level of empathy. The mean of the Caring Assessment Questionnaire was 5.42 +/- 0.80 (min. 1 to max. 7), showing a good perception of caring behaviors. There was a positive, low, and significant relationship between empathy and caring behaviors (r = 0.286, p < 0.001). Conclusion This study revealed that nursing students have low-level empathy and high-level caring behaviors. Practice Implications Throughout the educational process, the students' caring competencies, which include empathy and caring behaviors, developed. It is suggested that humanistic and value-oriented pedagogical approaches be incorporated into nursing curricula.