Effect of compassion competence on cultural competence in student nurses: Mediating effect of professional nursing values

Abstract

Background: Cultural competence is an essential component of nursing care in today's multicultural era. However, the research on nursing students' cultural competence and its related factors is very limited.

Aim: This study investigated the mediating effect of professional nursing values on the relationship between compassion competence and cultural competence among nursing students.

Methods: A cross-sectional and correlational research design was used. Participants were 146 nursing students recruited from three 4-year baccalaureate nursing programs, who completed the self-report scales of compassion competence, professional nursing values, and cultural competence. Baron and Kenny's regression method and the Sobel test were used to analyse the mediating effects of professional nursing values on the association between compassion competence and cultural competence.

Results: Professional nursing values exerted a partial mediating effect on the relationship between compassion competence and cultural competence.

Conclusion: Nursing educators should recognize that the cultural competence of nursing students can be improved by incorporating professional nursing values and compassion competence in the nursing curriculum.