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Professional altruism in nursing care: A concept clarification study
Anna Slettmyr1,2, Anna Schandl3,4, Maria Arman2
1School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Fakultetsgatan 1, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden.
International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances
|April 9, 2026
Summary
Professional altruism is a moral orientation in nursing, prioritizing patient well-being. This core aspect of nursing care, though challenged, remains vital for professional identity and quality of care.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Bioethics
- Healthcare Professionalism
Background:
- Historically, altruism has been central to nursing ethics.
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted nurses' commitment despite personal risks.
- This context spurred renewed interest in the role of altruism in contemporary nursing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the concept of professional altruism within nursing care.
- To establish an operational definition of professional altruism in nursing.
Main Methods:
- Employed Catherine Norris's five-step concept clarification method.
- Conducted a systematic literature search across CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO in November 2024.
- Included 24 articles using keywords related to altruism and nursing.
Main Results:
- Identified five descriptive categories of professional altruism: willingness to act, moral orientation, motivational force, professional expectation, and a valued yet challenged phenomenon.
- Developed an operational definition: Professional altruism is a moral orientation prioritizing patient well-being over self-interest, balancing challenges and consequences.
- Recognized altruism as a core aspect of nursing care, responsibility, and practice.
Conclusions:
- Professional altruism is integral to nurses' professional identity and essential for quality nursing care.
- Acknowledging and supporting professional altruism can improve care quality and nurse well-being.
- Altruism remains a foundational, albeit complex, element in nursing practice.
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