Using the Profile of Caring: Measuring Nurses ‘Caring for Self and Caring by Their Unit Manager

Abstract

The Caring Factor Survey – Caring for Self and the Caring Factor Survey – Caring of the Manager are 10-item instruments used to assess nurses ‘self-report of caring for self and nurses ‘perception of caring as demonstrated by their unit or department manager, respectively. Each 10-item survey assesses the 10 processes of caring described within Watson's Theory of Transpersonal Caring. Structural equation modeling was used to assess for item mis-specification (for items that did not belong among the 10 items) among the responses from 1,650 nursing staff from six countries. Three types of invariance testing were then used to assess whether the same items were equally relevant across all participating countries. Results revealed that each survey had six items specified to measure that type of caring relationship (i.e., caring for self and caring by the manager), including five items that were the same in both surveys and one unique item in each. Final items were found to be equally relevant across all participating countries. In a global model, both caring relationships were found to relate to nurses ‘clarity about their role and about the system in which they work, as well as their job satisfaction. Implications for a global study of caring and for impacts on work environments are discussed.