Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2011, 2(1):165-170

Empathy in nursing

Ľubica Bánovčinová^*, Milina Bubeníková

Department of Nursing, Jessenius Medical Faculty in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the level of empathy among nurses and to determine whether there are significant differences in the characteristics of nursing students and nurses working in practice.

Methods: To detect levels of empathy was used Toronto empathy questionnaire (TEQ), Hogan's empathy scale (HES) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). The survey included 245 respondents: 143 nursing students (average age 20.85 years, standard deviation (SD) = 1.21) and 102 nurses (average age 36.06 years, SD = 7.71, length of praxis 14.53, SD = 8.84).

Results: Observed average values of empathy have varied from the high (TEQ subscale empathic interest from IRI) to a relatively low level (subscale Imagination from IRI). When comparing the two groups were found despite an expected prerequisite significant differences in the constituents of empathy in only two subscales Interpersonal Reactivity Index: taking the perspective (nurses scored higher) and personal distress (students scored higher).

Conclusion: The importance of empathy in the work of nurses and its positive impact on the therapeutic relationship is generally known. The results of our research point to the fact that the level of empathy is relatively satisfactory. Since this characteristic is particularly important in the work of nurses, it is meaningful to focus on the intense attention of detailed examination of this issue as well as the development of personality traits of helping professionals in particular at the beginning of their careers.

Keywords: empathy, helping professions, nurses, nursing students

Published: March 30, 2011  Show citation