Abstract: Objective: To investigate the status and influencing factors of ICU nurses' ability to communicate bad news. Methods: From July to September 2023, a total of 358 ICU nurses from 8 county-level and above hospitals in Hunan province were selected by convenient sampling method. They were investigated by general data questionnaire, communicating bad news ability scale, emotional intelligence scale and death attitude description scale. Results: The total score of the ICU nurses' ability of communicating bad news was 72.57±15.12. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that emotional intelligence, years of working, discussion of death related issues, and death education were included in the regression equation model (P<0.05), which accounted for 33.9% of the total variation. Conclusion: The ability of ICU nurses to communicate bad news was at a good level. Nursing managers should develop the corresponding regulations and interventions according to ICU characteristics and appropriately strengthen the training of death education. Nursing staff should further improve their emotional intelligence to increase the ability to communicate bad news and promote the development of excellent nursing.

Key words: Intensive Care Unit; nurse; ability to communicate bad news; emotional intelligence; death attitude