The Emotional Labor and Caring Behaviors of Nursing Students

Abstract

Purpose: While providing care, which is the nature of nursing, nurses exhibit different emotional labor behaviors. This research was conducted to determine the emotional labor and caring behaviors of nursing students and the correlation between them. Methods: This study was conducted with cross-sectional correlational research design on 228 students who were studying in nursing department and were providing care to patients in the clinic. The data were collected using the Student Information Form, Emotional Labor Behavior Scale for Nurses, and Caring Behaviors Inventory. Results: The mean age of the students was 20.78±1.72. While their emotional labor score was 4.07±0.57, their caring behaviors score was 5.08±0.68. Emotional labor and caring behaviors subscale and total score of the students who were female, preferred nursing since it is a healthcare profession, and were satisfied with their department were higher than the other groups. Emotional labor score of the third-year students and caring behaviors subscale and total score of the first-year students were higher than the other groups. In the study, a positive correlation was determined between emotional labor and caring behaviors total scores. Conclusion: It was shown that emotional labor and caring behaviors scores of the students were higher than the average and the gender, the class, the reason for preferring the department, and satisfaction with the department were important indicators for emotional labor in care.