Abstract:
Objective To investigate the impact of work environment on empathy ability of ICU (intensive care unit) nurses and provide reference to improve empathy ability of ICU nurses.
Methods One hundred and fifty-two ICU nurses were in vestigated by use of Practice Environment Scale (PES) and Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE-HP).
Results The mean score of work environment of ICU nurses was 91.27& #177;6.21. The mean score of empathy ability of ICU nurses was 113.16& #177;14.53. The nursing work environment score was positively correlated with the nurses' empathy ability score (P>0.01).
Conclusion The in dividual education background, length of service, nursing foundation for quality of care, nursing manager ability, leadership and support of nurses, and nurse-physician relations, staffing and resource adequacy were the major personal and environmental factors which affected empathy ability of ICU nurses. It is suggested to enhance the empathy ability of ICU nurses by improving nursing work environment and their personal comprehensive abilities.