This paper presents an Operator -Splitting Method (OSM) for the solution of the universal Reynolds equation. Jakoobsson-Floberg-Olsson (JFO) pressure conditions were incorporated for the study of cavitation in a liquid-lubricated journal bearings. Shear flow component of the oil film was first solved by a modified upwind finite difference method. The solution of the pressure gradient flow component was completed by the Galerkin finite element method. Present OSM solutions for a slider bearing are in agreement with Elord’s results. OSM was then applied to herringbone grooved journal bearing in this work. The film pressure, cavitation areas, load capacity and attitude angle were obtained with JFO pressure conditions. The calculated load capacities are in agreement with Hirs’s experimental data. A comparison of the present results and those predicted by the Reynolds pressure conditions shows some differences. The numerical results indicate that the load capacity and the critical mass of journal (linear stability indicator) are higher, and the attitude angle is lower than those predicted by Reynolds pressure conditions in cases of high eccentricities.