How highly sensitive personality traits among registered nurses are reflected in their professional practice
Sara Danelius AlvrudAbstract
Introduction
Highly sensitive personality traits are associated with increased emotional responsiveness, empathy and awareness. Nurses work in demanding clinical environments where such traits may influence both patient care and work-related strain. However, limited research has explored how high sensitivity is reflected in nursing practice.
Aim
To investigate how highly sensitive personality traits among nurses are reflected in their professional practice.
Methods
A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 10 nurses in somatic inpatient care, most with experience in surgical settings, in southern Sweden. Five interviews were conducted face-to-face and five via video conferencing. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis.
Results
Three main categories were indentified: Emotional and Relational Impact in Nursing Practice, Vulnerability and Work-Related Strain and High Sensitivity as a Professional Resource highlighting both challenges and strengths.
Discussion
High sensitivity was reflected in nurses’ professional practice through increased emotional engagement and attentiveness in patient care, heightened vulnerability to strain, and as a resource contributing to thorough and responsible care.
These findings can be understood in relation to the Fundamentals of Care framework, highlighting relational, contextual, and integrative aspects of nursing care, emphasizing how high sensitivity, as a context-dependent characteristic, influences both the nurse–patient relationship and the ability to detect subtle patient changes and respond to patients’ needs in complex care situations.
Recognizing high sensitivity may support nurses in utilizing their strengths while managing vulnerability. Supportive work conditions and opportunities for reflection may contribute to sustainable practice and high-quality patient care.