How Grounded Are Our Ideals? Rethinking Nursing's Covenant of Care

Covenant has been used to describe the special relationship between nurses and patients yet has been misunderstood in nursing literature. Covenantal elements of keeping promises and nurturing relationship resonate with the work of nursing. However, unlimited devotion puts the nurse at risk for exploitation and burnout. One's conceptualization of covenant is important because it impacts beliefs about allegiance, identity, and responsibilities. This article offers a critical analysis of how the conceptualization of covenant in nursing literature compares to a theological understanding of covenant. The covenantal dimension of a nurse's practice is reframed from the nurse-patient relationship to a professional-societal relationship.