Table 2 Item descriptions, item-total correlations, Cronbach’s alpha and factor loadings (n = 440)

0.92

0.74

 4

Interventions to relieve patients’ physical suffering.

0.41

.75

 6

Prompt care when I notice patients’ clinical symptoms.

0.35

.73

 2

Recognize clinical symptoms

0.33

.69

 3

Priority is concern for relieving or reducing physical suffering.

0.37

.63

0.72

 12

Help patients to maintain their hygiene

0.38

.64

 10

Determine whether or not my patients are getting enough sleep or rest

0.38

.63

 9

Adequate daily exercise programs or physical activities

0.41

.58

 7

Adequate diet for all patients to regard individual needs for healing.

0.46

.53

 8

Adequate care to solve the process of elimination problems

0.47

.52

0.83

 16

encourage and allow time for patients to talk about their priority concerns.

0.55

.70

 13

spend enough time with patients to sincerely discuss their feelings.

0.50

.67

 17

encourage patients’ self-confidence to assist in maintaining their health and help manage their illnesses.

0.54

.64

 15

encourage the patient to be resolute and determine to get better.

0.49

.58

 14

say inspiring words to my patients. e.g., your treatment is working well; you’re getting better day by day.

0.51

.53

 21

educate each patient specifically for individual needs.

0.53

.51

 22

give up-to-date and evidence-based health education for patients.

0.48

.48

0.84

 30

Available when patients call me or ring their bell.

0.43

.77

 29

Have ability to apologize to patients if i make mistakes.

0.39

.73

 27

Sincere listen to what my patients is telling me.

0.45

.73

 28

Patient and tolerant with my patients and their families.

0.53

.69

 26

Offer a personal greeting to patients that i encounter when i arrive at work.

0.43

.65

 36

Allow my patients to do things that get them to calm down.

0.47

.63

 34

Softly touch my patients’ shoulders or hands when appropriate.

0.58

.61

 33

Allow time to make an effort to cheer my patients up.

0.66

.58

 38

Make patients feel welcome on the ward

0.52

.57

0.78

 46

I maintain an environment that promotes healing e.g., quiet, clean and good ventilation.

0.56

.72

 45

I draw a curtain to separate patients from others when performing any physical care procedures.

0.39

.72

 47

I ensure the promotion of safety and security of all patients on the ward.

0.49

.69

 48

I ensure a pleasant atmosphere all the time whenever possible.

0.53

.64

0.85

 52

I’m not partial in regard to patients practice of traditional beliefs

0.37

.80

 51

I maintain consideration for patients’ beliefs

0.49

.79

 50

I volunteer to help when patients and their families desire to perform religious activities in the unit

0.51

.73

 59

I agree that all patients from different cultural backgrounds should be able to choose their own individually preferred benefits

0.38

.67

 49

I provide the opportunity for religious activities in the unit.

0.47

.64

 54

I consider the patients’ different health-related attributes and cultural needs when I develop nursing care plans.

0.54

.61

 55

I freely discuss with patients about any restrictions relating to their cultures

0.58

.51