AbstractBackgroundCultural competence is considered one of the criteria for high‐quality nursing care.AimThis study aimed to analyse cultural competence in nursing.MethodsThis study was performed using the hybrid concept analysis approach in three phases. In the theoretical phase, literature was reviewed by searching Persian and English language databases, and 94 articles were included. In the second or fieldwork phase, 11 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with purposefully selected nurses. The results of both theoretical and fieldwork phases were analysed using conventional content analysis, and in the final analysis phase, the results of the previous phases were triangulated.ResultsThe attributes of cultural competence were obtained in the theoretical phase in six and the fieldwork phase in three categories. In the final phase, the categories obtained in both previous phases were triangulated: cultural competence in nursing is a continuous, developmental, flexible, extensive and complex process that is patient‐ and justice‐oriented and emerges through learning and skills acquisition, including cultural knowledge, attitudes and practices.ConclusionManagers and planners of nursing education can use the results of this study to educate nursing students and nurses and evaluate outcomes as one of the criteria for quality care.