Understanding Servant Leadership in Nursing: A Concept Analysis

Despite the abundance of servant leadership literature, scholars recognize the need for a more precise conceptualization of the concept. Although the predominant literature emanates from organizational management and industry describing servant leadership as a theory, model, philosophy, or leadership style, less attention has focused on servant leadership in academia, and most notably in nursing. The purpose of this analysis is to clarify the concept of servant leadership and to provide further delineation of this highly relevant, but elusive concept in nursing. Findings of this concept analysis identify a linkage among servant leadership characteristics, caring theories, and the profession of nursing.