Fostering Caring and Narrative Competence Through Reflective Storytelling: A Narrative Inquiry Study

Background: Narrative pedagogy combined with reflective writing has been increasingly recognized for its effectiveness in fostering empathy, communication skills, and reflective thinking in health care education, aligning closely with caring-related course objectives. Method: This qualitative narrative inquiry explored how 25 undergraduate students in a Caring and Communication course at a university interpreted and enacted caring through personal storytelling and guided reflection. Results: Analysis identified five core dimensions of caring narratives: story topics, modes of caring, role transformations, emotional shifts, and reflective growth. These emerged across eight thematic categories: individualized caring actions, family caregiving, clinical experiences, peer support, care for non-human others, mentor guidance, intercultural kindness, and transitions from care recipients to caregivers. Conclusion: Integrating storytelling with reflective pedagogy effectively enhances students' affective learning and narrative competence. Educators are encouraged to adopt this approach to foster Gen Z students' caring and communication skills in an era increasingly shaped by technological innovation.