Abstract
Background: Caring is considered integral to nursing, with an assumption that the two are synonymous. However, contemporary nursing practice increasingly emphasizes medical and clinical aspects, potentially influencing how stakeholders perceive a “good nurse”. This study aimed to assess the attributes of a good nurse as perceived by nurses, other healthcare providers, and patients.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February 2022 to March 2023 at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. Data were collected from 103 nurses, 51 other healthcare providers, and 280 patients. Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficient was used to rank the attributes and statistical analysis performed using SPSS software.
Results: The attribute “scientific knowledge and clinical skills” received the highest ranking across all groups surveyed. Patients assigned the lowest ranking to “professional behavior and appearance,” whereas healthcare providers identified “being a good listener” as the least important. Overall, healthcare providers placed greater emphasis on professional integrity and interpersonal/communication skills, while patients prioritized interpersonal skills.
Conclusion: This study enhances our understanding of the key attributes considered essential for effective nurses in Oman. The findings highlight discrepancies in the perspectives of patients, nurses, and healthcare professionals. Acknowledging these differences is crucial for refining nursing curricula and improving nurse-patient interactions.
Keywords: nurses; Oman; patients; health care providers; attributes
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