Entrepreneurial Competency in Nursing: A Concept Analysis

Abstract

Background: The 21st century has markedly transformed the nature of business operations and underscored the growing significance of entrepreneurial competency across diverse sectors, including nursing. Nurses are increasingly undertaking innovative roles to improve healthcare delivery; however, the definition of entrepreneurial competency within the nursing profession remains ambiguous. This study aims to analyse the concept of entrepreneurial competency in nursing and to define it within a professional nursing context.

Materials and Methods: This concept analysis adopted Wilson’s (1963) eight-step framework. A literature review was conducted spanning 2014 to 2024, using databases such as Google Scholar, Sage Journals, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, and ResearchGate. Keywords including “entrepreneurial competency” and “nursing” were employed to identify relevant literature across business, education, and nursing domains. The analysis focused on identifying the defining attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents of the concept.

Results: A total of 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Nine defining attributes emerged: opportunity recognition, creativity and innovation, risk-taking, problem-solving, decision-making, leadership, adaptability, collaboration, and interpersonal communication. Key antecedents included nursing education and clinical experience, exposure to business knowledge, access to financial resources and professional networks, and supportive institutional policies. Consequences comprised enhanced quality of care, business sustainability, increased patient and family satisfaction, job creation, and expanded nursing roles.

Conclusions: Entrepreneurial competency in nursing represents a synthesis of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enables nurses to spearhead innovative healthcare initiatives. This concept lays the groundwork for both practice and research, facilitating the advancement of entrepreneurial roles within the nursing profession.