Profiles of Time Management Dispositions and Influencing Factors Among Nursing Interns: A Latent Profile Analysis
Miaomiao Xiang, Luqing Chen, Xiaoxiao Xia, Le Xu, Mengru Wu, Peipei Ding, Ziqiao SunBackground
In complex clinical settings, nursing interns often encounter difficulties with time management, leading to decreased efficiency, increased psychological distress, and impaired role transition. However, existing literature has largely treated this population as a homogeneous entity, overlooking the latent heterogeneity in time management dispositions and the specific influencing factors underlying these distinct profiles.
Methods
This cross‐sectional survey was conducted from May to July 2025. We recruited 291 nursing interns from a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province, China. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to identify distinct time management profiles. Subsequently, multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine factors associated with profile membership.
Results
Three distinct profiles were identified: Passive Procrastination (16.5%), Guidance‐Dependent (60.1%), and Proactive Planning (23.4%). Using the Proactive Planning Profile as the reference group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the Passive Procrastination profile was significantly associated with lower Family APGAR scores and self‐efficacy. Furthermore, the Guidance‐Dependent profile was associated with a lack of intention for further education, as well as lower self‐efficacy and Family APGAR scores.
Conclusion
This study highlights the significant heterogeneity in the time management patterns of Chinese nursing interns. Specifically, the Proactive Planning profile was characterized by a strong intention for further education, high self‐efficacy, and higher family functioning. These findings provide an evidence‐based foundation for developing targeted interventions to address time management challenges in this population.
Implications for Nursing Management
Nurse managers should replace one‐size‐fits‐all preceptorship with differentiated strategies that build interns’ self‐efficacy, engage families as a supplementary source of support, and provide behavioral guidance rather than motivational reinforcement for interns with procrastination tendencies. Longitudinal and interventional studies are warranted to validate these findings and refine such strategies.