Objective To determine the level of and factors associated with caring ability among nurses working in secondary and primary hospitals participating in the hospital alliance program in Hubei province. Methods A total of 1 154 nurses from 16 secondary hospitals and 22 primary hospitals in Hubei province were investigated by the Caring Ability Inventory (CAI). Results The total CAI score was 188.65±19.48, with the dimension score of knowledge, courage and patience being 62.83±9.37, 75.66±8.86 and 50.16±6.99 respectively. There were significant differences in CAI scores across groups differing in age, length of service, professional title, marital status and department（P<0.05,P<0.01）. Conclusion Caring ability of nurses in secondary and primary hospitals participating in the hospital alliance program is poor. The leading hospital should fully integrate and utilize resources, play their role in technology radiation, spurring and guiding, thus to achieve uniform caring management.