Objective To understand the level and determinants of caring ability among male nurses working in tertiary hospitals, and to provide evidence for taking targeted intervention measures. Methods Two hundred and fifty-one male nurses from 4 tertiary hospitals in Hubei province were surveyed by using the Caring Ability Inventory. Results The samples scored 188.47±20.03 on caring ability, and 76.5% of them reported low level of caring ability, while only 6.4% of them was at high level. Multiple linear regression showed that the degree of caring from head nurse was a predictor of male nurses′ caring ability （P＜0.01）. Conclusion Caring ability of male nurses in tertiary hospitals needs to be improved. Nursing managers should pay attention to male nurses and take interventions to enhance their caring ability.