Problem: Patients and family members expect nurses to demonstrate caring during their contact with patients. If caring is so important, it should be measured on the performance appraisals of registered nurses.
Methods: Watson's carative factors. A review of performance appraisals, for evidence of Watson's carative factors, for medical-surgical nurse positions from 87 hospitals in one Midwestern state.
Findings: Facility size did not seem to be associated with the appearance of Watson's carative factors. Size of facility was only significant between small hospitals and Watson's carative factor two, sustaining faith and hope.
Conclusions: Although caring is important to the profession of nursing, it is not measured as a part of nursing performance appraisals.