Concept Analysis of the Sacred in Nursing Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this concept analysis was to clarify the meaning of the sacred in nursing practice by applying Chinn and Kramer’s (2015) framework. Online word etymology published works of scholars and nurse theorists were the foundational sources for this concept analysis. Additionally, an extensive review of published nursing literature retrieved 42 records between the years 1987 and 2019. Three themes and seven subthemes were identified, which help to make meaning of this nursing concept. Major themes include encountering the sacred at the major life transitions, honoring the sacred during patient care, and acknowledging the sacred nature of the nursing practice.