4 Incorporating Relevant Research
The Importance of Empathy Training for Nursing Students
Ruth May is the Chief Nursing Officer for England, and has a vision for nursing that addresses immediate workforce challenges, thus creating a long-term, and sustainable environment for nurses. May’s biggest priority is celebrating the profession of nursing and creating pride. As Dr. May notes, “despite the pressures nurses face, there is an immense sense of pride within the profession, which is often overshadowed by the challenges of workload, staffing shortages, and the emotional toll of the job” (2019). As the NHS Long Term Plan seeks to modernize healthcare, nurses will play a huge role in delivering quality care to all patients. This vision is not just improving the health care environment, but also creating the rights skills.
In being a good nurse, one of the most important values to have is empathy. Nurses with higher levels of empathy are more likely to provide compassionate care, build trust with patients, and improve overall patient care. This is particularly important as the NHS faces immense nurse shortages, which currently stand at 41,000 nursing vacancies in England (2019). Dr. May emphasizes the need for a larger workforce, and also highlights the importance of enhancing the skills of the current nursing staff to ensure that they are not just qualified clinicians but also empathetic caregivers. In my current nursing studies I have been learning the importance of becoming an empathic and compassionate nurse.
Research supports this view, showing that empathy training can have a significant impact on nursing students’ attitudes and behaviors toward patients. A study conducted in Iran explored the effects of empathy skills training on nursing students, specifically focusing on their attitudes and empathy toward elderly patients (2019). After completing an eight-hour workshop on empathy, students’ empathy scores increased immensely, and their positive attitudes toward elderly patients were majorly increased (2019). This study suggests that empathy skills training can improve the quality of care provided by nursing students, leading to better patient outcomes.
In the context of the NHS Long Term Plan, which highlights holistic care, also regards the importance to connect with patients on an emotional level. Nurses who have strong empathy skills are better prepared to address not only the physical needs of patients but also their emotional and psychological well-being, which is just as important. The study on empathy training proves that Dr. May’s vision for nursing as a profession does require both technical as well as the ability to provide compassionate patient care (2019). It aligns with her goal to “celebrate the profession,” highlighting how impactful nursing can be when practitioners are supported in their emotional and professional development (2019).
Moreover, the study highlights how empathy training can contribute to a positive professional environment by creating better relationships between nurses and patients, increasing job satisfaction, as well as many others. As Dr. May states, “there are many pressures facing the nursing workforce, including high levels of stress and the feeling of being overworked, which can lead to a high turnover rate” (2019). Empathy training can be an important part of the solution, not only improving the care nurses provide but also contributing to their personal satisfaction and pride.
As a new nursing student with my entire future in my hands, it is so critical for me to realize that my values have to be shown in my profession, and by doing this I can become a better nurse and caregiver. Some individuals do not have this empathy and may just want to collect the pay check, which is why the integration of empathy training into nursing education, as recommended by the study, would ensure that future nurses have the emotional intelligence needed for proper care.
In conclusion, Ruth May’s leadership priorities and the findings of the empathy training study highlights the essential role that both workforce development, and emotional intelligence are essential in shaping the future of nursing. By creating a workforce that is not only clinically intelligent but also genuinely empathetic, the nursing profession can better meet the needs of patients, making a huge difference in the world.