Azar Eshghi - Department of Medical–Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
Nasrin Bahrami Nejad - Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
Nasrin Jafari Varjoshani - Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

Background: Instructors’ caring behaviors are regarded as one of the most impressive factors in the process of clinical training which is significant to promote the students’ self-efficacy and self-confidence. Thus, it is of great importance to identify and promote the instructors’ caring behaviors. Objectives: This study was performed aiming to determine the students’ perception of instructors’ caring behaviors in Zanjan province. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted in ۲۰۲۱ on ۲۳۵ nursing students of bachelor degree from the ۴th semesters onwards in Zanjan province who were included in the study by stratified random sampling. To collect data, the questionnaires of demographic information and “Nursing Students Perception of Instructor Caring” were used. Statistical analysis was performed by independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS software version ۲۵. Results: The mean±Sd of instructors' caring behaviors was ۱۲۶.۳۷±۱۴.۷۰. The highest and lowest mean scores were related to the dimensions of respectful sharing (۵.۰۸) and control versus flexibility (۳.۲۶) respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between creating a supportive learning climate and students’ marital status (t=-۱/۹, p=۰.۰۵) and also between the appreciation of life's meaning and control versus flexibility with students' semesters (p<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: From the perspective of nursing students, the instructor’s caring behavior was in average level. Therefore, it is recommended to take action in order to improve the instructors’ caring behavior through training workshops.

caring behavior, nursing instructors, nursing students