Do performance appraisals of registered nurses reflect a relationship between hospital size and caring?
OBJECTIVE
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.


RESULTS
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.
Carson
Elizabeth M
EM
Saint Anthony College of Nursing, Rockford, IL, USA. BCarsonI@aol.com
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015982:Bias; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004645:Empathy; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015146:Midwestern United States; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D009742:Nursing Theory; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing