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Aligned and discordant profiles of nursing informatics competency and information-security attitudes among clinical nurses: a single-centre study in China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Secure digital nursing practice requires both nursing informatics competency and favourable information-security attitudes, yet these domains may not develop in parallel within individual nurses. This study aimed to identify joint profiles of nursing informatics competency and information-security attitudes among clinical nurses, examine characteristics associated with profile membership, and compare nurse-perceived nurse-patient relationship quality across profiles. Methods: A single-centre cross-sectional survey was conducted among a convenience sample of 1,149 clinical nurses at a tertiary hospital in China between February and June 2026. Latent profile analysis used nine standardised competency and attitude dimensions. Three-step analyses examined profile correlates and differences in nurse-perceived nurse-patient relationship quality. A complementary configurational analysis examined combinations associated with high and non-high relationship quality. Results: Six competency-attitude profiles were identified, comprising aligned low and high patterns, two contrasting discordant patterns and two mixed patterns. A more favourable perceived hospital ethical climate was consistently associated with the high competency-high attitude profile, which retained the highest adjusted nurse-perceived nurse-patient relationship quality, although between-profile differences were attenuated after adjustment. High competency-high attitude profile membership combined with a favourable perceived hospital ethical climate formed the core configuration associated with high relationship quality. Conclusion: Nursing informatics competency and information-security attitudes do not necessarily develop in parallel. Joint assessment may reveal combinations of strengths and support needs obscured when the domains are considered separately, and these findings may inform more differentiated professional development and workplace support for secure digital nursing practice.

Source: Frontiers in Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1987978

Authors: Xiwei Wang, Qiongfang Wang, Dongxia Cao

Institutions: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare Education and Workforce Issues

Subfield: Leadership and Management

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801