Nurses' collegiality: An evolutionary concept analysis

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Social Sciences
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Collegiality is a core nursing value influencing care quality, job satisfaction, and commitment.
• The concept of collegiality in nursing lacks a clear, universally accepted definition.
• Previous research has not fully elucidated the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of nursing collegiality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the concept of collegiality within the nursing profession.
• To define the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of nursing collegiality.
• To provide a foundation for developing and applying the concept in clinical practice and research.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Rodger's evolutionary concept analysis.
• Conducted comprehensive electronic database searches (CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SocINDEX, PsycINFO, Eric).
• Included manual searches of reference lists and limited findings to peer-reviewed English-language papers published up to November 2022.

Main Results:

• Identified key attributes: mutual goals, equality, reciprocity, trusted advocacy, self-regulation, and belongingness.
• Established antecedents: existing professional groups, inter-professional connections, and professional self-esteem.
• Determined consequences: enhanced professional status, increased job satisfaction, and improved patient care.

Conclusions:

• Nursing collegiality is a value-based concept characterized by professional connections, integrating ethical and pragmatic strategies.
• The clarified concept can inform further development and application in nursing research and practice.
• Ongoing study of nursing collegiality is essential due to the evolving nature of the profession and its work environment.