Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42522095›Full record

ReviewNursing open2026

Motivation in Nursing: A Concept Analysis.

Edward Obeng Amoah, Mopelola T Adeola

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nursing open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Edward Obeng AmoahSDA Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Kwadaso, Kumasi, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7621-705X
Mopelola T AdeolaSchool of Nursing, Johnson Hall of Nursing, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5878-7115

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

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

backgroundMotivation 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.

designA concept analysis. DATA SOURCES: 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.

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

resultsFive 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.

conclusionThese 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. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: 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. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: 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.

Indexed as

Concept FormationMotivationNursesNursingHumansJob SatisfactionPersonnel Turnoverconcept analysisextrinsic motivationintrinsic motivationmotivationnewly licensed registered nursesnursing retentionnursing workforceprofessional commitmentWalker and Avantwork motivation

Identifiers

PMID42522095
PMCPMC13415745

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.