The Relationship Between Holistic Humanistic Caring Perception, Thriving at Work and Clinical Nursing Competency Among Newly Graduated Nurses: A Mediation Study With Latent Profile Analysis.

AIM: To identify latent profiles of holistic humanistic caring perception among newly graduated nurses, examine associated factors and assess indirect associations with clinical nursing competency through thriving at work.

BACKGROUND

Heterogeneity in caring perception and the role of thriving at work in clinical nursing competency remain unclear.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study included 421 newly graduated nurses from six tertiary hospitals. Latent profile analysis, multinomial logistic regression and covariate-adjusted mediation analysis with 5000 bootstrap samples were performed.

RESULTS

Three profiles characterised mainly by low (30.9%), moderate (31.8%) and high (37.3%) caring perception were identified. Only-child status, living situation and work experience were associated with profile membership. Significant indirect associations through thriving at work were found for high versus low (B = 46.17, 95% bootstrap CI 36.73-55.58) and moderate versus low (B = 27.26, 95% bootstrap CI 21.30-33.45). The direct association remained significant for high versus low but not moderate versus low.

CONCLUSIONS

Caring profiles were associated with clinical nursing competency, with significant indirect associations through thriving at work.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Profile-specific caring support and conditions that foster learning and vitality may help nursing managers support competency development.