The ability of nurses to empathize with patients has been seen as an important and desirable attribute in developing and maintaining the nurse-patient relationship in complicated clinical situations. However, the concept of empathy is abstract, as well as complex, and has been conceptualized in a variety of ways. This article will apply methodology outlined by Walker and Avant (1995) to analyze the concept of empathy. The concept analysis aims to. (1) identify uses of the concept, (2) determine defining attributes, (3) construct model, borderline, contrary, and related cases, (4) identify antecedents and consequences, and (5)outline empirical referents. The researcher hopes this concept analysis will assist nurses to clarify the characteristics of the concept and will have usefulness in nursing practice and research.