Table 4 Importance scores, CV, weights and connotations for each item

1 Knowledge

Having a good knowledge of nursing, psychology and related humanities, which are required for clinical care.

1.1 Knowledge of nursing psychology

Proficient in basic concepts, theories and knowledge of nursing psychology and psychiatric psychology.

1.2 Knowledge of clinical nursing

Proficient in basic theories of clinical nursing and principles of nursing based on the theories of medical profession.

1.3 Knowledge of humanities and social sciences

Familiarity with knowledge of humanities and social sciences related to health and care, and socio-cultural factors affecting patients’ psychological and physical health.

2 Skills

Be able to perform psychosomatic nursing tasks such as emotional management, nursing practice, health education, interpersonal communication, and legal practice to meet the psychosomatic needs of patients and their families.

2.1 Psychological care practical skills

Be able to comprehensively assess the psychological status of patients and their families with scales or other methods, to pose psychological care questions, to implement individualized psychological care through listening, reassurance or encouragement, and finally to evaluate the effects.

2.2 Clinical nursing practical skills

Be able to grasp basic and specialized nursing techniques, to complete various nursing work steadily, quickly and accurately, thereby reducing patients’ suffering.

2.3 Psychological crisis management skills

Be able to notice patients in psychological crisis, to identify situations that patients need referral, and to assist in providing psychological services like professional accompaniment and conversation.

2.4 Interpersonal skills

Familiarity with social skills such as communication, coordination and cooperation with patients, their families or co-workers, as well as adaptability to situations like competition, praise or criticism at work.

2.5 Health education skills

Proficiency in health-information dissemination skills to help patients and their families rise health awareness and mobilize patients and their families to participate in nursing activities.

2.6 Thinking cognitive skills

In clinical practice, with own knowledge and experience, be able to comprehensively analyze and orderly reason patients’ existing or potential psychological problems, and ultimately make the appropriate judgment and choice.

2.7 Legal practical skills

Able to deeply understand the importance of various regulations and practical procedures; to consciously fulfill nurses’ legal obligations; to protect nurses’ legitimate rights and interests as well as those of the hospital through the law.

3 Professional ethics

The ethical qualities required for the implementation of psychological care in hospitals are manifested as responsibility, empathy, dedication and so on in the nurses’ psychological care services.

3.1 Responsibility

Could assume responsibility for meeting the physical and psychological needs of patients and their families, conscientiously observe professional norms and fulfill professional obligations; proactively safeguard patients’ right of life, privacy and informed consent.

3.2 Empathy

Could perceive, grasp and understand the thoughts of patients or their families.

3.3 Equal and respect

Regardless of the differences in social status, living conditions, job, cultural background, and religious beliefs among the nursing clients, nurses treat them equally, and similarly, nurses respect their different individuality and personality.

3.4 Professional attitudes

Could hold cognition, affection, and behaviour required by psychological care, including the degree of effort and proactivity, as evidenced by carefully caring for patients and/or their families, patiently explaining knowledge related to care, and genuinely interacting with patients and/or their families.

4 Personal traits

The personal traits are manifested as having a stable mood, healthy physique and decent demeanor, which could positively influence patients and their families and then alleviate their negative feelings.

4.1 Psychological quality

Internalize externally acquired stimuli into stable, fundamental and implicit mental qualities that have derivative and developmental functions.

4.2 Physical quality

Stay energized to provide services to patients or their families through appropriate exercise, good sleep, and healthy eating.

4.3 Self-development

Self-grow to improve nursing knowledge and skills in psychological care.

4.4 Self-reflective habits

Develop the habit of self-reflection by reviewing and learning the experience of psychological care services.

4.5 Etiquette and image

Dress neatly and behave elegantly, then use the beauty of nurse’s professional image to warm the patients and their families.

5 Internal motivations

To promote the mental health of patients and their families, internal motivations are used to stimulate and maintain psychological nursing care behaviors.

5.1 Psychological care concept

Clarify nurse’s role ideologically, fully recognize the importance of psychological care, and then implement psychological support, psychological nursing or mental health education for patients.

5.2 Sense of professional acquisition

Feeling rewarded by nurse’s profession at work, seeing value in psychological care, and maintaining a positive emotional state.

5.3 Sense of collective belonging

A feeling when being recognized and accepted collectively can motivate enthusiasm to nursing and thus to be proactive in providing psychological care.