Association between spiritual care competence and professional attitude among community nurses in China: insights from a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: In recent years, community nursing in China faces challenges due to an accelerated aging population and urbanization. The relationship between professional attitude and spiritual care competence (SCC) among community nurses remains unclear. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Between October 2022 and March 2023, a total of 302 community nurses were recruited from multiple community health service centers in China using convenience sampling, and were screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected through an online questionnaire to assess community nurses' sociodemographic characteristics, SCC, and professional attitudes. RESULTS: A moderate to high level of SCC was observed among community nurses with a total score of 102.45 ± 18.23. Community nurses' SCC was positively associated with professional attitude (P < 0.001). The multiple linear regression model (n = 302) explained 20.4% of the variance (R² = 0.204), showing that professional attitude and understanding of spiritual care were the major factors influencing SCC (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicate that enhancing the professional attitudes of community nurses may help improve their SCC, suggesting important directions for nursing education and clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.