Changes in Empathy of Nursing College Students: A Cohort Longitudinal Study

Purpose: This study aimed to identify changes in sub-areas of empathy over the 4 years from admission graduation nursing college students.Methods: descriptive survey was conducted using a longitudinal cohort design. The participants this were 158 South Korean students attending university Chungcheongbuk Province or Gyeonggi Province, all whom passed certification evaluation for 4-year educational institute. Data 126 analyzed. level measured five times March 2012 December 2015. Empathy identified multi-dimensional measurement tool consisting four sub-constructs cognitive and emotional aspects: (1) perspective taking, (2) fantasy, (3) empathic concern, (4) personal distress. analyzed SPSS version 25 provide statistics participants’ general characteristics perform repeated-measures analysis variance empathy.Results: Perspective taking (F=13.08, p<.001) distress (F=5.24, p=.001), but not fantasy showed significant differences time.Conclusion: Cognitive (perspective taking) (personal distress) improved. Intervention programs should be developed maintain strengthen education.