Social entrepreneurship in nursing in the light of Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment
Emprendimiento social en la enfermería a la luz de la Teoría del Logro de Metas de Imogene King
Empreendedorismo social na enfermagem à luz da Teoria do Alcance de Metas de Imogene King
Matheus Moraes Silva; Sandra Milena Aponte Franco; Alacoque Lorenzini Erdmann
Abstract
Objective to reflect on social entrepreneurship as a transformative practice in nursing care, in the light of Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment.
Method this is a theoretical-reflective study.
Results the reflection resulted in two analytical axes. The first presents an approximation of the Theory of Goal Attainment and its personal, interpersonal, and social systems. The second addresses the integration of this theory with social entrepreneurship in nursing, highlighting the nurse’s role as an interaction mediator and promoter of transformative care practices. Finally, a conceptual model developed from the Theory of Goal Attainment and reinterpreted in light of social entrepreneurship in nursing is presented.
Final considerations and implications for practice the articulation between King’s Theory and social entrepreneurship broadens the understanding of care as a relational, intentional, and socially transformative practice. The proposed conceptual model strengthens nurses’ professional autonomy and supports entrepreneurial practices grounded in nursing theories, with potential application in education, the health system, and innovation in care.
Keywords
Resumen
Palabras clave
Resumo
Objetivo: refletir sobre o empreendedorismo social como prática transformadora do cuidado em enfermagem, à luz da Teoria do Alcance de Metas de Imogene King.
Método: trata-se de um estudo teórico-reflexivo.
Resultados: a reflexão deu origem a dois eixos analíticos. O primeiro apresenta uma aproximação da Teoria do Alcance de Metas e de seus sistemas pessoal, interpessoal e social. O segundo diz respeito à integração dessa teoria com o empreendedorismo social na enfermagem, destacando o papel do enfermeiro como mediador de interações e promotor de práticas transformadoras do cuidado. Ao final, apresenta-se um modelo conceitual elaborado a partir da Teoria do Alcance de Metas e reinterpretado à luz do empreendedorismo social na enfermagem.
Considerações finais e implicações para a prática: a articulação da Teoria de King ao empreendedorismo social amplia a compreensão do cuidado como prática relacional, intencional e orientada à transformação social. O modelo conceitual proposto fortalece a autonomia profissional do enfermeiro e subsidia práticas empreendedoras fundamentadas em teorias de enfermagem, com potencial aplicação na formação, no sistema de saúde e na inovação do cuidado.
Palavras-chave
References
1 Backes DS, Lomba ML, Leão SD, Sartori ARS, Rocha LDM, Büscher A. Nursing care strategies such as well-being, from the social entrepreneurship perspective. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2025;46:e20240356.
2 Schwarz G, Alharthi GW, Schwarz S. Social Entrepreneurs’ perceptions of the institutional environment: the influence of human and psychological capital. Int J Public Adm. 2023;47(16):1122-38.
3 Kuckertz A, Bernhard A, Berger ESC, Dvouletý O, Harms R, Jack S et al. Scaling the right answers: creating and maintaining hope through social entrepreneurship in light of humanitarian crises. J Bus Vent Insig. 2023;19:e00356.
4 Ngoie VS. Nursing entrepreneurship in South Africa. Cape Town: Shofar Books; 2024.
5 Meintjies CS, Maritz JE. Nurse-led social entrepreneurship as a career. Health SA. 2025;30:2700.
6 Copelli FHS, Erdmann AL, Santos JLG. Entrepreneurship in Nursing: an integrative literature review. Rev Bras Enferm. 2019;72(suppl. 1):289-98.
7 Backes DS, Colomé JS, Mello GBD, Gomes RDC, Lomba MDLLF, Ferreira CLL. Social entrepreneurship in the professional training in Nursing. Rev Bras Enferm. 2022;75(3):e20220391.
8 Backes DS, Erdmann AL, Büscher A. Nursing care as an enterprising social practice: opportunities and possibilities. Acta Paul Enferm. 2010;23:341-7.
9 Backes DS, Toson MJ, Ben LW, Erdmann AL. Contributions of Florence Nightingale as a social entrepreneur: from modern to contemporary nursing. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(suppl. 5):e20200064.
10 Backes DS, Zamberlan C, Colomé J, Souza MT, Marchiori MT, Erdmann AL et al. Systemic interactivity between interdependent concepts of nursing care. Aquichan. 2016;16(1):24-31.
11 King IM. A theory for nursing: systems, concepts, process. New York: Wiley Medical Publications; 1981.
12 Rivera-Rojas F, Valencia-Contrera M, Villa-Velasquez J, Reynaldos-Grandon K, González-Palacios Y. Critical analysis of Imogene King’s goal attainment theory. Rev Enferm Referência. 2023;1–5.
13 Silva VGF, Melo LGS, Silva BN, Souza NL. Nursing care in serodifferent relationships: an analysis in the light of Imogene King. Esc Anna Nery. 2024;28:e20240016.
14 Pissinati PDSC, Martins EAP, Costa RG, Haddad MDCF. Goal setting in retirement planning: reflection in the light of Imogene King. REME Rev Min Enferm. 2020;24.
15 Moreira TMM, Araújo TL. The conceptual model of interacting open systems and Imogene King’s goal attainment theory. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2002;10:97-107.
Accepted date:
02/02/2026

)