Trajectory changes of clinical empathy ability of Chinese nursing interns: A longitudinal study using latent transition analysis

This study utilized a longitudinal design and latent transition analysis to examine the distinct profiles, transitional trajectories, and influencing factors of clinical empathy among nursing interns. An 8-month follow-up survey, initiated in June 2024, was conducted among 762 nursing interns from 2 Grade A tertiary teaching hospitals in Hubei Province, China. Results identified 4 discrete latent profiles: low empathy-stable, low empathy-increasing, high empathy-stress, and high empathy-distress. The low empathy-stable profile demonstrated the lowest stability (7% maintenance probability) and a significant tendency to transition to the high empathy-stress profile (43% probability). In contrast, the maintenance probabilities for the remaining profiles ranged from 18% to 44%. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that gender, physical exercise, peer relationships, and reading empathy-related literature significantly predicted transition pathways (P < .05). Additionally, emotional intelligence served as a significant positive moderator in empathy development (P < .05). These findings highlight the dynamic nature of empathic capacity during clinical practicums. To promote long-term career development and prevent emotional exhaustion, hospitals and nursing schools should implement tailored emotional intelligence interventions, particularly for interns within the stress and distress-dominant empathy profiles.