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1. Nursing Concept Analysis Paper – Grit in Nursing Sample Essay
Nursing Concept Analysis Paper – Grit in Nursing Sample EssayNursing Concept Analysis
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essay/Nursing Concept Analysis Paper – Grit in Nursing Sample EssayConcept Analysis
PaperThis assignment is designed for the student to examine the antecedents, attributes,
and consequences of a concept. The student will identify a strong definition of this concept.
If there is none, the student will develop one. The student will explore a concept, and then
analyze that descriptive word and its use in literature. Steps from Wilson’s Concept and
Analysis will be used (Walker & Avant, 2011).The body of the paper should not exceed 10
pages.Follow these steps while completing the project:1. Introduction2. Select a concept
relevant to nursing.3. Determine the purposes of analysis.4. Identify the uses of the concept
(Literature Review).5. Determine the concept’s defining attributes, antecedents, and
consequences.6. Construct a model case.7. ConclusionNursing Concept Analysis Paper – Grit
in Nursing Sample EssayGrit in Nursing: Concept AnalysisGrit is a relatively new concept.
Some researchers see it as similar to other constructs, but it is unique. This paper explores
the concept of grit in nursing. The concept analysis utilizes steps from Wilson’s Concept
Analysis. Purposes of the analysis are identified for nursing practice, education, and
research. Its uses, and definitions are outlined based on the available literature. Based on
the literature review, there are five defining attributes of grit in nursing: resilience,
perseverance, passion, conscientiousness, and compassion. Antecedents of nursing grit
include discovery of interest, setting the goal, and presence of adversity. Consequences of
nursing grit are excellence in practice, personal growth, and happiness. A model case is
presented for a better illustration of grit in nursing.Purposes of the Grit AnalysisThe
purpose of this concept analysis is to explore the meaning of grit in the context of nursing.
The enhanced understanding will then contribute to its use in nursing education, practice,
and research. Improved awareness of the concept will enable nurses to exercise and grow
their grit to provide excellent care to their patients. It will help nursing educators to
incorporate methods to foster grit in nursing students. Researchers report that grit can be
taught, but there is lack of evidence about what interventions may be helpful. It addition, it
may prompt researchers to develop evidence-based recommendations about fostering grit.
Nursing administrators may seek grittier nurses to achieve better patients’
outcomes. The Uses of GritA thorough data research using
keywords grit, grit in nursing was performed. Major databases CINAHL, ProQuest, and
Google Scholar were utilized. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary (2018), grit is a

2. “sand, gravel”, “a hard sharp granule (as of sand), “any of several sandstones”, “the structure
of a stone that adapts it to grinding”, “firmness of mind or spirit: unyielding courage in the
face of hardship or danger”.Psychologist Duckworth has been studying grit. According to
her definition, grit is a “perseverance and passion for long-term goals” (Duckworth et al.,
2007, para. 1). Sustained interest gives motivation for achieving long-term goals. People
with grit are consistent with their goals, they do not give up and trade them in the face of
difficulties and failure. Grit, not talent or intellect, is a predictor of high achievements in
different fields like education, military, sports or any professional development. Grit
predicts personal success. Conscientiousness implies self-control in a given moment, grit
represents pursuing long-term goals, persistency and consistency of grit differ it from other
similar constructs. To achieve their long-term goals, gritty people choose more effective
methods to practice over more enjoyable but less effective activities (Duckworth et al.,
2007).Maddi, Matthews, Kelly, Villarreal, and White (2012) characterize grit as “a sustained
pursuit of a given interest or goal” (p.23). They measured grit by the grit scale developed by
Duckworth and Quinn, which includes assessment of two main factors of grit: consistency of
interests and perseverance of effort. Among other variables that were measured, grit had a
more predictive value than other variables on retention in difficult circumstances (Maddi et
al., 2012).Cosgrove, Chen, and Castelli (2018) use the Duckworth definition of grit as well.
Grit is viewed as a measure of behavior and goal achievement that leads to outstanding
behavioral outcomes. Grit is a stable, but modifiable persistence toward long-term goals.
Higher grit predicted better academic scores, but it did not predict higher fitness testing
(Cosgrove et al., 2018).Stoffel and Cane (2018) also define grit as sustained commitment
toward achieving long-term objectives despite obstacles, failures and setbacks. Grit Scales
by Duckworth are used to compare academic performance of students, the total grit score
was a predictor for a higher grade point average (Stoffel & Cane, 2018). Robinson uses the
Grit Scale to evaluate the relationship between grit and nursing student academic
engagement and found association of higher grit and stronger course engagement (as cited
in Stoffel & Cane, 2018). Measuring grit is very challenging because it is based on self-
reporting and has social desirability bias (Stoffel & Cane, 2018).Hellman and Gwinn (2017)
also characterize grit as perseverance and passion for long-term goals, which can be
significantly increased along with other character strengths (zest, self-control, optimism,
gratitude, social intelligence, and curiosity) after brief hope intervention. Bolton, Praetorius,
and Smith-Osborne (2016) associate grit with nine themes: frailty (ability to adapt to
physical impairments positively), determination (the will to survive and refusal to be
defeated, refusal to be helpless), perseverance, self-reliance, head-on approach to
challenges, moving forward with life, will to live, strengths that buffer the impact of well-
being, and anticipating one’s future losses. Crede, Tynan, and Harms (2017) have conducted
a meta-analysis of grit research and have found that grit is strongly related to
conscientiousness. Perseverance has a stronger effect on performance than consistency of
interests (Crede et al., 2017).Vainio and Daukantait (2016) state that grit positively relates
to well-being factors: psychological well-being, satisfaction with life and harmony in life
since people are naturally motivated to realize their highest potential. Substance of grit is
not a strict determination to pursue goals no matter the costs, but to pursue the goals that

3. are consistent with one’s inner values relying on consistency of self (Vainio & Daukantait,
2016).Jin and Kim (2017) have also explored how grit relates to the subjective side of life,
such as well-being. They state that “grit means dedication to long-term goals with
enthusiasm, which is closely related to success in objective terms” (para. 1). Grit increases
satisfying the autonomy and competence needs, autonomy then reduces depression, and
competence increases life satisfaction, and both in turn lead to better well-being (Jin & Kim,
2017).Payne (2017) suggests that grit in nursing is about looking forward, setting and
achieving goals, seeking excellence rather than perfection. Nurses express passion and love
for their work as they find joy in helping patients to recover or being there for them at their
death or bringing a new life into the world, being able to support patients and families in
crisis. When nurses go back to school, there is excitement about learning new things,
becoming technically proficient, reinforcing, and expanding skills. Gritty nurses have goals,
courage (managing fear of failure), they take risks every day, conscientious (meticulous
attention to detail, counting on each other) while moving from novice to expert. Nurses with
grit are resilient in bouncing back from failures or problems. Nursing ethics are about
purpose as well as supporting good decisions, which also promote resilience. Grit is a
mindset or an attitude about striving for something good and virtuous like nursing (Payne,
2017).McCabe (2016) emphasizes that grit has a great benefit to nursing practice. Nurses
with grit practice with excellence, determination, and compassion. She suggests that grit in
nurses develops with more clinical experience and role modeling and that grit can be
nurtured through communication with experienced nurses and reflecting on own
experiences. She believes that characteristics of grit (conscientiousness, establishment of
long-term goals, resiliency, and excellence) can be developed in nursing students and new
nurses (McCabe, 2016).Attributes, Antecedents, and Consequences AttributesWalker and
Avant (2011) define attributes as the most frequent characteristics associated with the
concept. The attributes of grit in nursing are: resilience, perseverance, passion,
conscientiousness, and compassion.Resilience is one’s ability to go on after negative
experiences and adversity (Stoffel & Cane, 2018). Traditional resilience is applied to severe
psychological trauma and adversary experience, but current society has used the term
resilience in broader and less extreme context, such as daily setbacks, negative experiences
(Stoffel & Cane, 2018). Protective factors are influences that change responses to negative
experiences from maladaptive to adaptive outcomes (Stoffel & Cane, 2018). Protective
factors may include coping mechanisms, social and family support, role modeling and
mentorship, and intellectual stimulation (Stoffel & Cane, 2018) Nursing Concept Analysis
Paper – Grit in Nursing Sample Essay. Resilient nurses have an ability to withstand, adapt,
and learn something positive from barriers and adversity (Meyer & Shatto, 2018). Maturity
and drive are factors for greater resilience (Meyer & Shatto, 2018).Perseverance is working
hard, finishing what was started, or mastering skill despite adversity or discouragement
(Duckworth et al., 2007). Being passionate towards long-term goals is when one is focused
on projects that take years to finish without losing interest or being distracted (Duckworth
et al., 2007). Conscientiousness is a personality trait of being “self-controlled, responsible to
others, hardworking, orderly, and rule abiding” (Roberts, Lejuez, Krueger, Richards, & Hill,
2014, para. 2).Compassion is an attribute mentioned only in studies of nursing grit. Nursing

4. is a righteous endeavor, a profession of compassion. Nursing Concept Analysis Paper – Grit
in Nursing Sample Essay Nurses with grit strive to provide excellent care. Excellent nursing
care is possible only with compassion. There is no true nursing without
compassion.AntecedentsAntecedents are the events that must take place before the concept
can occur and they cannot also be the defining attribute for the concept (Walker & Avant,
2011). The first antecedent of grit is discovery and development of consistent interests.
Then, based on the consistent interests, the second antecedent is understanding and setting
the long-term vision or goal. For development of grit, there must be some adverse
circumstances or barriers present. It is impossible to reach long-term goals that take years
to accomplish without some barriers, boredom, or negative circumstances.Nursing Concept
Analysis Paper – Grit in Nursing Sample Essay So, the third antecedent is setbacks,
boredom, or barriers in achieving the goal.ConsequencesConsequences are the events that
happen as a result of the concept occurrence and also cannot be defining attributes (Walker
& Avant, 2011). The outcomes of grit in nursing are excellence, personal growth, and
happiness. Nursing Concept Analysis Paper – Grit in Nursing Sample Essay.Nurses with high
grit have a better potential to reach excellence. Excellence in nursing practice is related to
practical wisdom based on scientific knowledge (Flaming, 2002). The grittier the nurse, the
more motivated she/he is to be an excellent nurse, the more years of hard work is invested
into it, the more potential she/he would have to do it.Personal growth is a reflection of a
person’s development. Gritty nurses have positive attitudes, higher expectations about
themselves, their lives and the nursing profession. These nurses view adversities and
difficulties differently from those with low grit, which improves their subjective well-being.
They lead a more meaningful and engaged life that makes them happier people than those
with lower grit. Grit improves life satisfaction (Vainio & Daukantait, 2016)Model CaseA
model case demonstrates how the concept is used with all the defining attributes at display
(Walker & Avant, 2011). Ann’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when Ann was 12
years old. What followed were two years of fighting, hope and desperation. By the age of 14
Ann was left without her mother Nursing Concept Analysis Paper – Grit in Nursing Sample
Essay. Somewhere along those two years Ann had decided that she wanted to be a nurse,
not just a nurse, but a nurse who makes a real difference in the lives of people and families,
who eases their pain, supports them in their decisions, and understands what they are
going through. After finishing high school Ann went to a community college for an associate
degree in nursing while working full time to help her father financially with bringing up her
two little sisters and her education. Nursing school was tough with full time work, evening
classes and clinicals. But it did not discourage her, she worked through it, meticulously
finishing all her homework and assignments, and looking forward to an ultimate goal to
become an excellent nurse. After graduation, she started working in a hospital on a medical-
surgical unit. It was an urban hospital, nursing staffing ratios were unfair, patient acuity was
high, and supplies were scarce. Ann was the only new graduate who did not quit during the
first year of employment on that unit. She found support and guidance in one of the
experienced nurses who was like a mentor to Ann. After a year she got involved in the
hospital governance, she joined a quality improvement committee and advocated for safe
staffing and better working conditions to be able to provide quality patient care. After

5. several years of working as a nurse, she decided to go back to school and earn her
baccalaureate degree in nursing and get her certification in oncology nursing. Nursing
Concept Analysis Paper – Grit in Nursing Sample Essay. Over the years, her knowledge and
expertise grew along with her curiosity to know more. Ann is still a compassionate nurse,
she loves what she does, she cares about her patients and families, and she has expertise
from the years of nursing practice. In retrospective, Ann realizes that she has been
“fortunate” to discover her passion to nursing early on in life, it is her calling. Her work has
a purpose beyond herself.Conclusion Grit is relatively new and confusing concept. This
paper about grit in nursing has a purpose to improve understanding of the concept.
Enhanced understanding may lead to wider awareness and use of grit in nursing practice,
education, and research. Literature review showed that the concept is well defined in
psychology, but not in nursing. Further research related to grit in nursing and how to foster
grit in nurses would be beneficial since consequences of grit include excellence in practice,
personal growth and happiness. There are five attributes of grit in nursing: resilience,
perseverance, passion, conscientiousness, and compassion. Compassion is a unique
attribute of nursing grit. Nursing Concept Analysis Paper – Grit in Nursing Sample Essay In
order for grit in nursing to happen, the following antecedents are needed: discovery of the
field of interest for future passion, understanding and setting the long-term goal, and finally,
some setbacks or barriers in the path to the goal. Nursing grit is characterized by sustained
interest and passion for nursing and working with perseverance towards excellent and
compassionate care throughout the years, which is reflected in the constructed model
case. ReferencesBolton, K. W., Praetorius, R. T., & Smith-Osborne, A. (2016). Resilience
protective factors in an older adult population: A qualitative interpretive meta-
synthesis. Social Work Research, 40(3), 171-182. doi: 10.1093/swr/svw008Cosgrove, J. M.,
Chen, Y. T., & Castelli, D. M. (2018). Physical fitness, grit, school attendance, and academic
performance among adolescents. Biomed Research International, 1-7.
doi:10.1155/2018/9801258 Nursing Concept Analysis Paper – Grit in Nursing Sample
EssayCredé, M., Tynan, M. C., & Harms, P. D. (2017). Much ado about grit: A meta-analytic
synthesis of the grit literature. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(3), 492-
511. doi: http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.wilkes.edu/10.1037/pspp0000102Duckworth, A. L.,
Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-
term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087-1101. doi:
http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.wilkes.edu/10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.1087Flaming, D. (2002).
Using nursing science does not guarantee nursing excellence. Research and Theory for
Nursing Practice, 16(3), 147-59. Retrieved from
https://ezproxy.wilkes.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-
com.ezproxy.wilkes.edu/docview/207665858?accountid=62703Jin, B., & Kim, J. (2017).
Grit, basic needs satisfaction, and subjective well-being. Journal of Individual Differences,
38(1), 29-35. doi: http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.wilkes.edu/10.1027/1614-
0001/a000219Hellman, C., & Gwinn, C. (2017). Camp HOPE as an intervention for children
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6. role of hardiness and grit in predicting performance and retention of USMA cadets. Military
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nursing students? NASN School Nurse, 31(3), 144-146. doi:
10.1177/1942602X16634440Merriam-Webster. (2018). Grit. Retrieved from
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in Nursing Sample EssayMeyer, G., & Shatto, B. (2018). Resilience and transition to practice
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sid=56eba355-9c12-41f4-9894-eb34683e31cd%40sessionmgr101Roberts, B. W., Lejuez, C.,
Krueger, R. F., Richards, J. M., & Hill, P. L. (2014). What is conscientiousness and how can it
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Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 82(2), 124-134. Retrieved from
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com.ezproxy.wilkes.edu/docview/2051219775?accountid=62703Vainio, M. M., &
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Essay,