BACKGROUND: A sense of connection is central to nursing education and is associated with positive student outcomes. The aim of this concept analysis was to clarify the meaning of student interpersonal connection in nursing education.

METHOD: Walker's and Avant's method of concept analysis was used. Google and ancestry searches identified uses of "connection" across disciplines. PubMed® and ancestry searches identified 24 relevant manuscripts from nursing education, and two concept analyses related to connection in general nursing contexts; these informed the core of the analysis.

RESULTS: Across disciplines, connection had varied uses; these informed the analysis. Student interpersonal connection in nursing education was tentatively defined as a nursing student's evolving perception of mutually valuing, feeling close to, feeling comfortable with, and being cared about by others he or she encounters in education.

CONCLUSION: The evolving nature and importance of this concept support the need for further scholarship in this area.