Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Critical Care Nurses in Performing Specific Skills
Authors List
Wendy Berg RN, (MHealSc) Dunedin Hospital, Dunedin, New Zealand
Introduction: This study explores critical care nurses’ self-efficacy beliefs and training in relation to key skills at different stages of their careers. Despite the growing literature on self-efficacy, only limited research related to nurses’ self-efficacy for performing skills is evident, and less again focused on critical care nursing. Previous research has indicated that self-efficacy can increase with simulation or focused training.
Research questions:
Method: The study utilized a convenience sample of critical care nurses in the South Island, NZ. Data was gathered using a 28-item survey: the Nurse Self-Efficacy for Critical Care scale. Participants were given two-weeks to respond in August/September 2020. Results were analyzed using IBM’s SPSS 27 statistical software.
Results: Frequency distributions, descriptive statistics, correlational analysis and paired sample t-tests were calculated. The results indicated that experience correlated strongly with general critical care self-efficacy, and slightly more for paediatric critical care self-efficacy. The self-efficacy beliefs of critical care nurses were high for skills that are performed regularly. However, unsurprisingly, for seldom used skills, such as those related to caring for paediatrics and in open chest procedures, self-efficacy was lowest.
Conclusions: Lower self-efficacy for critically important but seldomly used skills evident in this study presents a challenge to managers, educators and to critical care nurses: How can we best prepare nurses to feel confident in their abilities for skills that are challenging and often ‘high stakes’ but with little opportunity to practice? Answers may include more frequent skill updates and increased simulation opportunities. Self-efficacy literature suggests these may build stronger self-efficacy, quality of care, increase patient safety, and wellbeing within the team.
Wendy Berg RN, (MHealSc) Dunedin Hospital, Dunedin, New Zealand
Introduction: This study explores critical care nurses’ self-efficacy beliefs and training in relation to key skills at different stages of their careers. Despite the growing literature on self-efficacy, only limited research related to nurses’ self-efficacy for performing skills is evident, and less again focused on critical care nursing. Previous research has indicated that self-efficacy can increase with simulation or focused training.
Research questions:
- How self-efficacious do critical care nurses feel performing a range of essential tasks?
- How does nurses’ length of service relate to their self-efficacy in the performance of a range of essential tasks in the critical care environment?
Method: The study utilized a convenience sample of critical care nurses in the South Island, NZ. Data was gathered using a 28-item survey: the Nurse Self-Efficacy for Critical Care scale. Participants were given two-weeks to respond in August/September 2020. Results were analyzed using IBM’s SPSS 27 statistical software.
Results: Frequency distributions, descriptive statistics, correlational analysis and paired sample t-tests were calculated. The results indicated that experience correlated strongly with general critical care self-efficacy, and slightly more for paediatric critical care self-efficacy. The self-efficacy beliefs of critical care nurses were high for skills that are performed regularly. However, unsurprisingly, for seldom used skills, such as those related to caring for paediatrics and in open chest procedures, self-efficacy was lowest.
Conclusions: Lower self-efficacy for critically important but seldomly used skills evident in this study presents a challenge to managers, educators and to critical care nurses: How can we best prepare nurses to feel confident in their abilities for skills that are challenging and often ‘high stakes’ but with little opportunity to practice? Answers may include more frequent skill updates and increased simulation opportunities. Self-efficacy literature suggests these may build stronger self-efficacy, quality of care, increase patient safety, and wellbeing within the team.