Background & Aim: Although caring is a complex concept with various definitions, there are no agreement on the exact meaning among researchers. The aim of this study was to compare caring behaviors of nurses from patients' and nurses' perspectives.

Methods & Materials: The study was conducted among 150 patients hospitalized in Boushehr hospitals and 50 nurses caring for them. Data were collected using quota sampling method via Caring Behaviors Inventory (CBI).

Results: Findings showed that there were significant differences between patients' and nurses' perspectives on the subscales of the instrument including assurance of human presence and attentiveness to others' experiences. Moreover, there was significant difference in total scale of caring behaviors of nurses between patients and nurses (t=2.559, P=0.011).

Conclusion: Nurses believed that they provide care for patients without making estimations of their expectations. It seems that nurses should attend to standard care to fill the gap