Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of nurses' caring behaviors and to identify
the factors influencing of nurses' caring behaviors. Methods: The participants were 404 nurses who were caring
the chronically sick elderly in five H university hospitals. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires
on the importance of caring behaviors, nursing professional value and job satisfaction. Data were analyzed with
descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple
regression with SPSS/WIN 16.0. Results: The average score for importance of nurses' caring behaviors was 3.38
and the 'professional knowledge and skill' factor was the highest level. The mean score of nursing professional
value was 7.53 and job satisfaction, 3.18. Importance of nurses' caring behaviors had a significant positive
correlation with nursing professional value, job satisfaction, nurse's age and work experience among demographic
variables. Two significant variables influencing importance of nurses' caring behaviors were nursing professional
value and job satisfaction. But characteristics of nurses did not influence. Conclusion: The findings of this study
indicate that importance of nurses' caring behaviors can be improved by intervening factors affecting this
importance. Based on the findings of this study, further nursing practice and nursing research for nurses caring
the sick elderly should be focused on their nursing professional value and job satisfaction.