Abstract

Background: The purpose of this concept analysis is to produce a concrete definition for the term “inclusion”. The word inclusion is mainly used in reference to education; however, it applies to many different facets of the workforce and in social context as well.
Methodology: To form the comprehensive definition, six databases were searched for a total of 83 articles screened. Of these 83 articles, 44 were synthesized. This analysis only considers full-text articles less than five years old, written in English and the Walker and Avant methodology was used.
Result: The conceptualized definition of inclusion is a feeling of respect and belonging with equity to create a sense of engagement, social justice, and transformation. The antecedents for the word conclusion are knowledge, disability, marginalized groups, diversity, training, collaboration, and support. Attributes of inclusion are belonging, equity, equality, cultural competence and respect. Finally, the consequences of inclusion are engagement, participation, social justice and transformation.
Implications: Implications for nursing include the need for inclusive patient care that starts with the nursing curriculum to ensure both equality and cultural competence in our future nurses.

Keywords:Inclusion; Diversity; Marginalization; Disability; Equity; Belonging; Equality; Respect; Cultural competence