Nursing Concept Analysis for Hope

Concept Analysis: Hope
Name
Institution
Concept Analysis: Hope
Concept analysis plays an important role in nursing. According to Moran et al. (2020), it allows nurses to precisely define a problem by clearly defining its characteristics. Below is a concept analysis of hope.
Introduction
Hope is considered an essential concept for human existence and survival as it gives people the willpower to fight and expect better outcomes in life. According to Al-Ja'freh et al. (2017), hope is a source of meaning in life, and it adds value to human life. As a concept, hope is not based on facts or logic but on the strong desire to have a better life with better outcomes. In healthcare, particularly in nursing, hope plays a significant role in patients' health and well-being. It is important to understand the concept of hope through concept analysis. This will ensure that nurses not only understand what characterizes hope but also the precursors and consequences of hope and how it can be applied in nursing care to enhance patients' recovery and well-being.
Definition and Uses of Concept
There are many definitions of hope that have been presented in the literature. Holtslander et al. (2019) define hope as the desire for good and the expectation for something better to happen. Foster et al. (2021) define hope as a continuous act of actively overcoming the desire to give up when things get really bad and difficult. Rather than give up and accept defeat, hope allows people to be optimistic about the future regardless of their current situation. Hope is used by patients, caregivers, and families to deal with difficult situations and cope with life-threatening health conditions. Healthcare providers usually do what they can to foster hope among patients and families dealing with deteriorating health conditions (Holtslander et al., 2019) because, at the end of the day, hope is essential in creating meaning in life.
Defining Attributes
According to Moran et al. (2020), defining attributes allow nurses to differentiate one concept from another. To do so, the nurse should look at the consistent characteristics of the concept. In defining the attributes of overcoming, Brush et al. (2011) identified characteristics such as recognizing an undesirable situation, determination to change the situation, and belief that the change will improve the quality of life. The defining characteristics of hope include:
* Feelings of uncertainty- Individuals often face situations that could lead to poor outcomes, such as death from a life-threatening condition. It is always possible that something bad could come out of the situation, but there is no assurance (Holtslander et al., 2019). This often leads to feelings of uncertainty about what might happen. People in such cases can only maintain hope.
* Expectations of a positive or desirable outcome- Despite what is happening to them in their current situation, people and patients, in particular, hope that they will recover (Foster et al., 2021).
* A focus on the future- People look forward to what will or might happen in the future.
Antecedents
Antecedents refer to the events that occur before the concept; they precede it (Moran et al., 2020). They allow nurses to deeply understand...