Abstract: Objective　To understand the current situation of empathy ability among vocational nursing students and analyze its influencing factors.Methods　A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 372 nursing students studying at Beijing Health Vocational College from November to December 2023. A general information questionnaire, the Jefferson empathy scale for nursing students, and the palliative care knowledge scale were used in the survey.Results　The total score of the empathy ability scale for vocational nursing students was (105.66±11.59) points, with the lowest average score for the empathy item and the highest average score for the perspective taking item. Univariate analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference in empathy scores among nursing students with different grades, participation in social volunteer services, voluntary choice of nursing majors, and political affiliations (P＜0.05). The total score of empathy ability was positively correlated with the total score of palliative care knowledge (P＜0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the grade level, participation in social volunteer services, voluntary choice of nursing major, and total score of palliative care knowledge were independent influencing factors of empathy ability among nursing students in vocational colleges, accounting for 38.6% of the total variation.Conclusion　The total score of empathy ability among vocational nursing students is at a moderate level and still needs improvement. In future teaching, nursing educators can encourage nursing students to participate in social volunteer services, integrate relevant knowledge of palliative care, and pay more attention to the cultivation of empathy skills for nursing students who choose nursing majors involuntarily.

Key words: nursing students, vocational school, empathy ability, palliative care, volunteer services, current situation, influence factor, cross-sectional study