A comparison of therapeutic commitment, role support, role competency and empathy in three cohorts of nursing students.

Full Abstract

This study investigated the perceptions of students regarding their therapeutic commitment, role competency, role support and empathy towards working with people who have mental health problems. These qualities play a key part in the development of therapeutic relationships, an important goal for working with individuals in most nursing situations. The sample comprised of three cohorts of nursing students undertaking the Diploma in Higher Education (Nursing) in Scotland. There were no significant differences in perceptions of empathy and therapeutic commitment among three cohorts of students, but third year students felt they received less role support than other cohorts. The findings also revealed that preregistration nursing students have perceptions of their role competency and empathic skills which are considerably greater than has been previously reported by registered nurses. The implications of these findings for nurse education are discussed.

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Author information

Author/s: Lauder, W (W); Reynolds, W (W); Smith, A (A); Sharkey, S (S);

Affiliation: University of Stirling Psychosocial Research Group, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Stirling, Inverness, UK. William.Lauder(-atsign-)Stir.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing (J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Aug; vol 9 (issue 4) : pp 483-91

Dates: Created 2002/08/07; Completed 2002/09/27; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12164911, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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