Purpose

A concept analysis, concept development, and concept synthesis is described by McEwen and Willis (2014) as the “rigorous process of bringing clarity to the definition of the concepts used in science. Concept analysis is used to promote understanding.” Under-standing how concepts are used within nursing is critically important because how a concept is understood and used in nursing is not necessarily the same as how that concept is understood and used in other disciplines. Some concepts relevant to nursing are coping, quality of life, abuse, self-esteem, spirituality, health, nursing, managed care, and parenting.