ArticleBMC nursing2026
From the goodness of our hearts: a scoping review of qualitative literature on altruism as a reward mechanism for nursing.
Article in BMC nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
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Abstract
introductionAltruism, the desire to help others, is a common motivation for choosing a career in nursing. Improved understanding of the role of altruism as a reward or motivation for currently-practicing nurses may inform future interventions to improve effort-reward balance among practicing nurses. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to collect, examine, and present literature on how altruism has been described as a reward mechanism or motivation for engaging in professional nursing.
methodsThis scoping review of literature used the Arksey & O’Malley method, PRISMA-ScR reporting checklist, and Rayyan review management platform. PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL were searched for: “nurs* AND ((reward OR compensation OR motivation) AND qualitative).” Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed empiric study in English, pertaining to nurses employed in a patient-facing role, and pertaining to altruism or a similar concept (e.g., benevolence, helping others) as a reward, motivator, or compensation mechanism for professional nursing work. No date limitations were imposed.
findingsThirty-nine studies met search criteria. Three themes were identified: (1) work engagement (n = 30), e.g. personal connectedness with their work through altruism (2), barriers to altruism, self-sacrifice (n = 15), e.g. lack of resources in the workplace and (3) spirituality (n = 15). Nurses described engagement with their work through altruism. Barriers to altruism were described, particularly due to lack of resources in the workplace, and some nurses engaged in self-sacrificing behaviors to compensate for unmet needs. Many nurses described spiritual fulfillment and nursing as a religious practice through altruism.
conclusionsWork engagement and spiritual fulfillment through altruism is described as a reward or motivation by nurses. However, barriers to altruism and self-sacrifice to overcome barriers were described.
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