Unraveling the Complexities of Procrastination in Nursing Care: An In‐Depth Conceptual Analysis Using Walker and Avant’s Framework

Background Procrastination is particularly detrimental in professions that directly impact people’s health and well‐being. Any delay or procrastination in delivering nursing care can result in adverse outcomes for both nurses and health care organizations by significantly compromising the quality of patient care. Hence, the present study was undertaken to analyze the concept of “procrastination in providing nursing care.” Methods The present systematic analysis study was undertaken by utilizing Walker and Avant’s (2019) eight‐step approach. To elucidate meanings associated with the targeted concept, an extensive search of English‐language texts was conducted without time limit, employing search engines and prominent databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Sciences, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest. Ultimately, 16 studies germane to the research concept in nursing were scrutinized and analyzed. Results After conducting a comprehensive literature review, it is evident that procrastination in delivering nursing care manifests as a discrepancy between intention and action. This phenomenon involves the postponement of crucial patient care tasks to a later time by the nurse, even when fully aware of the potential adverse consequences. Procrastination disrupts the efficient utilization of time, leading to the delivery of care in a purposeful yet unjustifiable manner, devoid of rational justification. The nurse’s failure to prioritize essential care exacerbates the negative repercussions of procrastination, establishing a clear cause‐and‐effect relationship between these factors. Conclusion Antecedents of procrastination in providing nursing care include inadequate financial and human resources, the personal attributes of the nurse, the patient condition, and the organizational environment. It also brings adverse consequences such as mental and occupational problems for nurses, reducing the quality of care and patient satisfaction, increasing costs and hospital infections for organizations. The findings of this study offer an objective and clear understanding of the phenomenon of procrastination within the context of nursing care, applicable to nurses, health care organizations, and nursing instructors. In addition, it is advisable to undertake further qualitative studies to pinpoint effective solutions for preventing procrastination.