A The Relationship between Nursing Informatics Competency and Caring Behaviors among Nurses in Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Background: Intensive care nursing increasingly relies on information and communication technologies (ICT) and electronic medical records (EMRs), yet caring behaviors remain central to quality nursing practice.  The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between nursing informatics competency and caring behaviors among ICU nurses in governmental hospitals in the West Bank, Palestine. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational study was conducted (Aug 1–Sep 1, 2025) among ICU nurses (N=224) recruited by convenience sampling from 10 governmental hospitals in the West Bank. Nursing informatics competency was measured using SANICS and caring behaviors using CBAN-SF. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations, an independent t test, and multiple linear regression. Results: Participants’ mean age was 34.1±8.3 years; 75.9% were male, 79.0% held a bachelor’s degree, and nurses spent 3.6±1.8 hours/shift using EMRs. Informatics competency was moderate overall (M=3.1±0.2), with the lowest subdomain in applied computer skills (M=2.3±0.5). Caring behaviors were high (M=103.9±14.6). Caring behaviors correlated strongly with SANICS (r=.867, p<.001) and EMR time (r=.716, p<.001). In regression, SANICS (B=50.17, p<.001), EMR time (B=1.22, p=.002), rotating shift (B=3.37, p=.001), and master’s degree or higher (B= 2.61, p=.038) predicted caring behaviors; the model explained 78.3% of variance (R²=0.783). Conclusion: Among ICU nurses, higher nursing informatics competency especially alongside greater EMR engagement was associated with stronger caring behaviors. Strengthening applied informatics skills may help ensure technology functions as an enabler of patient-centered care rather than a barrier.