Influences of positive psychological capital, interpersonal competence, and character on caring efficiency in nursing students

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing nursing students’ caring efficiency.Methods: This study included 212 nursing students from three University nursing departments in Busan metropolitan city. Data were collected from September 1 to September 29, 2021, using self-report questionnaires. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted with SPSS version 24.0.Results: Positive psychological capital and interpersonal competence on the relationship and character of nursing students were positively correlated with caring efficiency. The variables affecting the caring efficiency of the subjects were character (β=.60, p<.001), amount of participation in a character development program (5 times or more) (β=.16, p=.023), levels of stress (moderate β=.13, p=.037; low β=.15, p=.015), motivation to apply to a nursing program (β=.12, p=.024), and volunteer experience (β=.11, p=.038). The total explanatory power of the variables was 50.0% (F=14.69, p<.001).Conclusion: Character was one of the biggest influential factors on caring efficiency. In order to improve nursing students' caring efficiency, above all, it is necessary to make efforts to raise the level of individual character.