Öz
Introduction: As in many professions working with children, it is stated that the status of liking children and communication skills play an important role in the nursing profession.
Aim: In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between the liking of children and the communication skills of nursing students.
Method: This study was a descriptive and relational type. The study sample consisted of 220 nursing students studying in the nursing department of a university. The data were collected using the Information Form, Communication Skills Inventory and Barnett Liking of Children Scale.
Results: It was determined that 78.2% of the students participating in the research were female students. In the study there was a significant difference between the nursing students’ level of liking of children and their sex, communication with children and state of intending to have children (p=0,039; p=0,000; p=0,010). There was a statistical difference between the communication skills of the students and their class level and communication with children (p=0,006; p=0,003). There was a significant correlation between the nursing students’ level of liking of children and their communication skills at a positively advanced level.
Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, it was determined that nursing students had a high level of liking for children, and also a positive relationship was found between their liking for children and their communication skills. In this direction, in terms of the continuity of this positive relationship, it can be suggested to include the activities that will positively improve the love of children in the education of health professional candidates and to make arrangements that will strengthen their communication skills.