This study examined the relationship between caring and burnout in a sample of RNs.  The major hypothesis was that as RNs report increased levels of caring, they also report higher levels of burnout.  Four research questions are addressed in this project.

The population consisted of all RNs within North Carolina.  Mailed surveys were sent to a random sample of 3,500 subjects.   The revised Caring Behaviors Inventory (CBI) was used to measure the five dimensions of caring and the Maslach Burnout Inventory to measure the three dimensions of burnout.  A multiple regression analysis was conducted between each dimension of burnout and four carative factors.  Findings revealed that the four carative factors identified do impact a nurse’s level of burnout and had the greatest impact on the burnout dimension of reduced personal accomplishment.  The carative factor of respectful deference for the other contributed the greatest variance in reduced personal accomplishment.  Overall, increases in caring led to decreased burnout for this sample. Perhaps identifying nurses predisposed to burnout due to their caring attitudes and behaviors, interventions might be developed and implemented to assist in identifying predisposing factors and, in turn, reduce or prevent burnout.  A reduction in burnout may lead to a higher retention for nurses, thereby easing the nursing shortage.  Issues and limitations related to the CBI and quantitative research related to the concept of caring were also examined and discussed.