Motivation in Nursing: A Concept Analysis

To clarify and report an analysis of the concept of motivation in nursing.

Motivation shapes nurses' career decisions, job satisfaction and long-term retention. Persistent workforce challenges, particularly high turnover among newly licensed registered nurses, demand a clear, context-specific understanding of nursing motivation. This concept analysis aimed to clarify motivation within nursing practice, identify its defining attributes, antecedents and consequences, and propose a nursing-specific definition to guide workforce development, recruitment and retention strategies.

A concept analysis.

A targeted literature review spanning nursing, psychology and organizational behaviour was conducted using PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Google Scholar. Articles published between 2015 and 2026 were screened and selected to refine the conceptualization of motivation in nursing.

Walker and Avant's method for analyzing concepts in eight steps was used.

Five defining attributes emerged: intrinsic drivers rooted in altruism and personal identification with the profession, extrinsic reinforcement from the work environment, goal-directed professional actions, persistence and resilience in navigating challenges, and sustained commitment to both the profession and patient care. Motivation in nursing is a dynamic, multifaceted construct shaped by internal values, external conditions and fulfilment of basic psychological needs. It initiates, guides and maintains behaviours that support professional growth, high-quality care and long-term engagement.

These findings underscore the need for practice environments that nurture intrinsic motivation while providing adequate extrinsic support through effective leadership, safe staffing, recognition, career pathways, wellness initiatives and mentorship, particularly for newly licensed registered nurses. The identified attributes and related elements offer a framework for designing motivation-enhancing interventions and guiding future research in diverse nursing contexts.

Nurse leaders and educators can apply these findings by implementing structured mentorship, recognition programmes and professional development pathways that strengthen intrinsic motivation while ensuring adequate staffing and organizational support, particularly during the transition to practice for newly licensed registered nurses.

No Patient or Public Contribution. This is a concept analysis based on a literature review; it does not involve primary data collection from patients or members of the public, and therefore, patient or public involvement was not applicable.