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Perceptions of humanistic caring among nursing students in Chinese vocational colleges: a cross-sectional study
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DOI：10.1186/s12912-026-05102-z.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Humanistic caring is a fundamental component of nursing practice and a key goal of nursing education. However, previous research has largely emphasized caring competence rather than nursing students’ own perceptions of humanistic caring. In China, vocational colleges educate a large proportion of the frontline nursing workforce, yet evidence regarding vocational nursing students’ perceptions of humanistic caring remains limited. This study, therefore, investigated perceptions of humanistic caring among nursing students enrolled in Chinese vocational colleges. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among nursing students from six vocational colleges in Hubei, Guangdong, and Gansu provinces, China, between March and June 2024. Data were collected through an online questionnaire comprising participants’ background characteristics and the Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Humanistic Caring Questionnaire (NSPHCQ). A total of 1,270 valid questionnaires were included in the analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, with categorical variables presented as frequencies and percentages and continuous variables as means and standard deviations. Group differences were examined using independent-samples t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from all participants before data collection. Nursing students reported a relatively high level of perceived humanistic caring, with a total score of 140.18 ± 24.94 (mean = 4.10 ± 0.73). Caring from teachers received the highest ratings, followed by caring from peers. Perceived humanistic caring differed significantly according to household registration status, reasons for choosing nursing, harmonious relationships with peers and teachers, participation in volunteer activities, experience serving as a student leader at the school, college, or class level, willingness to pursue a nursing career, and prior caregiving experience. Nursing students in vocational colleges demonstrated a relatively high level of perceived humanistic caring, particularly regarding caring from teachers and peers. In comparison, lower ratings for school management and the school environment suggest that greater organizational and environmental support is needed within nursing education. Perceptions of humanistic caring also varied across several background characteristics. These findings underscore the importance of cultivating supportive learning environments, reinforcing professional commitment to nursing, and enhancing experiential learning opportunities to enhance humanistic caring in vocational nursing education further.
Keywords:
Caring
Humanistic caring
Perception
Nursing students
Nursing education
Vocational colleges
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