Purpose

To explore the concept of presenteeism in nursing.

Method

A three-phase concept analysis using a hybrid model was used. In the theoretical phase (first phase), a literature review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Proquest, EBSCO, Scopus, OVID, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, SID, and Iranmedex. In the fieldwork phase (second phase), semistructured interviews with 17 nurses were used. In the final analytical phase (third phase), the results of the previous phases were combined.

Findings

In the final definition, presenteeism can be considered as a kind of fall from balance, in whose nature lies the non-actualization of capacities. If the imbalance of presence is due to the body, we are faced with the non-actualization of movement capacity, and regarding the imbalance caused by the soul, cognitive and emotional actualization is challenged.

Conclusion

Exploration of the concept of presenteeism in the nursing is the basis for identifying this concept in a profession that deals with health as the most valuable human property.

Implications for nursing practice

The identified attributes of presenteeism provide a deep insight for nurse managers into the nature of presenteeism. Nurse managers cannot deal with a destructive phenomenon without exploring and identifying its exact meaning.