Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of family members waiting in an intensive care context using Rodgers’ evolutionary method of concept analysis.

Method: Systematic searches were made in CINAHL and PubMed. These gave thirty- eight articles which illustrated family members waiting in an intensive care context. Data was analysed through using Rodgers’ evolutionary method of concept analysis. Findings: In total, five attributes was identified during the analysis. These were living in limbo, feeling helpless and powerless, to hope, to endure and to fear the worst. Family members’ watchfulness of their relative proved to be the surrogate term and related concept.  The  consequence  of  waiting  was  often  negative  for  the  relatives  as  their questions often were not answered, which made them suffer. The references showed that the concept occurred in different situations and in intensive care units (ICUs) with various types of specialties.

Conclusions: The concept analysis has given the concept of family members’ waiting in an intensive care context a deeper understanding and meaning, which may provide awareness and reflection to professionals in intensive care with knowledge and reflections on how to take care of family members who are waiting. The waiting is inevitable but improved communication between the ICU staff and family members is important and necessary for reducing stress and alleviating the family members’ suffering and also for reducing the stress for caregivers. It is important to know that waiting cannot be eliminated but that the staff can ease the family members’ burden when having a loved one cared for in an ICU.