Table 3.

Highest-ranked nursing interventions among nurses with associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees

Rank	Associate's degree	Bachelor's degree	Master's degree
1	Establish trust	Administer pain medication	Establish rapport
2	Establish rapport	Establish rapport	Establish trust
3	Manage pain	Establish trust	Provide emotional support
4	Encourage emotional expression	Consult for pain management	Administer pain medication
5	Administer pain medication	Manage pain	Collaborate in initiating patient-controlled analgesia
6	Consult for pain management	Collaborate in initiating patient-controlled analgesia	Manage pain
7	Collaborate with physician	Encourage emotional expression	Promote self-esteem
8	Maintain dignity and privacy	Encourage positive affirmations	Consult for pain management
9	Encourage positive affirmations	Teach about managing pain	Encourage emotional expression
10	Promote self esteem	Collaborate with physician	Manage dyspnoea

*Rank order of mean importance rating