DESIGN AND METHODS: Phenomenology design was used to examine how nurses perceived their own behaviors in caring for patients.  After informed consent was obtained, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 6 nurses who were employed at a rural hospital in Japan.  All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim.  Data were analyzed through labeling, coding, and categorizing to identify themes and patterns.

RESULTS: Nurses described their own behaviors as caring when they attempted to relieve or minimize emotional distress of patients and families, and to become available to them whenever patients and families need support.  These behavioral characteristics matched the defining attributes of altruistic motivation to help.  On the other hand, nurses described their behaviors as uncaring when they got irritated in responding to patients’ and families’ questions, and provided less qualitative or intangible care than in the past.  These behavioral characteristics matched the defining attributes of distress-reducing and punishment-avoiding motivation, that are categorized as egoistic motivation to help.  Nurses felt positive after the caring interaction because they were pleased that patients and families’ needs were met. However, nurses felt negative after the uncaring interaction because of feeling guilty about not meeting the needs of patients and families.

CONCLUSIONS: Nurses’ caring behaviors matched defining characteristics of altruistic motivation to help, which resulted in both patients’ and nurses’ positive reaction.  Nurses’ uncaring behaviors matched defining characteristics of egoistic motivation to help, which resulted in patients’ negative reaction. Nurses need to be aware of own behavioral patterns and how these are related to motivation to help.