Based on a detailed job analysis, job-related personality dimensions
and communication skills were used as predictors of hospice nurse performance.
In particular, it was predicted that communication/social competence and certain
dimensions of empathy (empathic concern, perspective-taking) would be positively
related to hospice nurse performance, and that another type of empathy,
personal distress, and trait dogmatism would be negatively associated with performance.
Ninety-two hospice nurses were administered the battery of tests, and
“file drawer” assessments of their performance were obtained. Possession of communication/social
competence and certain dimensions of empathy led to good
prediction of job performance. Implications for personnel screening and selection
are discussed.