Patient and situational factors that affect nursing students' like or dislike of caring for patients.

The purpose of this study was to identify certain characteristics of the patient or the helping situation that evoke in nursing students positive or negative feelings about caring for patients. Causes nursing students spontaneously gave for their feelings about caring for patients were examined. Results provided some support for the perception that nurses may not be responsive to certain patients. The nursing students liked best caring for patients who were cheerful and communicative. They also liked to care for patients who were in pain, patients they viewed as needing high levels of nursing care, and patients who responded positively to their attempts to minister.