Caring behaviors as perceived by nurse practitioners.

Abstract

To investigate nurse pratctitioners' (NPs') perceptions of their own caring behaviors and to examine NPs' demographics as a function of their caring behaviors. Responses to the Caring Behaviors Inventory(CBI) and a demographic inquiry from 348 NPs in Louisiana. CBI mean scores and subscale scores were high for all 348 NPs. No statistically significant difference was found between male NPs' and female NPs' total mean CBI scores or between urban or rural total mean CBI scores. The interaction between nurse gender and area o practice was not statistically significant. NPs often work in clinic situations where productivity is the most valued characteristic and where little time is afforded for identifying caring behaviors of the NP and/or establishing a caring relationship with the patient. NPs must be extremely conscious of the need not to "throw out the baby with the bathwater" and sacrifice characteristics that are inherent in nursing for those emphasized in primary care practice. As their responsibilities in the health care setting continue to expand, NPs must continually evaluate and validate their roles to ensure quality care that satisfies patients.