Nurse well-being: A concept analysis

An understanding of nurse well-being remains elusive, particularly in the current toxic health care environment. Therefore, a conceptual definition of nurse well-being is needed.

The purpose of this paper is to report results of a concept analysis of nurse well-being.

Rodgers' Evolutionary Method of concept analysis was used to examine the attributes, antecedents, consequences, and related concepts of nurse well-being.

Findings revealed varying levels of nurse well-being: individual, organizational and community. Individual attributes included happiness, satisfaction, optimism, compassion, gratitude, forgiveness, and sound body/spirit. Organizational/community attributes included teamwork, sense of mission, pride in work, and social integration. Antecedents reflected commonalities with Maslow's hierarchy of needs, ranging from basic human needs to self-actualization. Consequences included resilience, collegial relationships, continued growth and development, empowerment, purposeful work, and physical/mental health.

Standardized definitions of individual and organizational/community nurse well-being should guide future research and policy development. Organizations must build capacity for nurses' well-being and explore its connection to patient safety and quality outcomes.