Ethical and empathetic nursing care is essential for high-quality, patient-centered healthcare, yet its consistent integration into nursing practice remains a challenge. This study aimed to identify publication trends, research patterns, and emerging topics related to ethical and empathetic approaches in nursing care using bibliometric analysis. Bibliographic data were retrieved from the Dimensions database on 22 November 2025. The search was limited to articles published between 2022 and 2025 in Health Sciences, Health Services, Nursing, and Clinical Sciences. Eligible records were analyzed using VOSviewer to generate bibliometric maps and visualize term relationships. Of 226,127 records initially identified, 13,799 articles met the eligibility criteria. Publication output increased from 135 articles in 2023 to 187 in 2024, then slightly decreased to 178 in 2025. Term co-occurrence analysis identified 121 terms grouped into four clusters. “Empathy” occurred 42 times, with 89 links and a total link strength of 307, indicating its prominent role within the research network. These findings demonstrate growing research interest in ethical and empathetic nursing care. Future studies should explore underrepresented topics and peripheral variables, particularly in developing countries, to strengthen the evidence base and identify new directions for ethical and empathetic nursing practice.