Perfectionism Profiles Among Hospital Nurses: A Cross‐Sectional Validation Study of a Multidimensional Scale

AIM: To adapt and validate the Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism for hospital nurses, identify distinct perfectionism profiles, and examine associated factors and outcomes. BACKGROUND: Perfectionism in nursing, shaped by both internal standards and diverse external pressures, requires a multidimensional, context-sensitive assessment to identify nurses at risk for poor health and lower perceptions of patient safety. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study used expert review to assess content validity and a survey of hospital nurses to test construct validity and reliability. Latent profile analysis identified subgroups, and regression models examined associations with personal and work factors, emotional distress, and self-perceived patient safety. RESULTS: The adapted scale showed strong validity and high internal consistency. Four latent profiles emerged: Nonperfectionism, Self-Oriented Perfectionism, Externally Pressured Nonperfectionism, and High-Pressure Perfectionism. Profile membership was related to gender, nursing experience, staffing adequacy, and pandemic-related patient care. Compared with Nonperfectionism, all three profiles involving perfectionistic tendencies or external pressure were associated with greater emotional distress. Externally Pressured Nonperfectionism and High-Pressure Perfectionism were also associated with less favorable self-perceived patient safety, with High-Pressure Perfectionism showing a particularly adverse pattern. DISCUSSION: The adapted measure effectively captured internal dimensions and source-specific external pressures of nurse perfectionism. Profiles differed meaningfully in risks for emotional well-being and safety perceptions. CONCLUSION: The study findings support healthcare organizations, nurse leaders, and policymakers in developing targeted interventions to safeguard nurses' well-being and optimize patient care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurse leaders should address high-pressure perfectionism through unit-level staffing review, supportive feedback, and just culture-based error review. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH POLICY: Health policy should support minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and non-punitive incident reporting systems to reduce harmful perfectionistic pressures and support sustainable nursing practice.