Self-efficacy among Nursing students at RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, United Arab Emirates.

Abstract

Background Development of Self-efficacy is an important component of nursing education, determining how successful nursing students will be as health care professionals. Nurse educators thus play a significant role in assessment of the self-efficacy and creating conducive environment that support its development. Aim: to assess the self-efficacy among nursing students. Methods: Cross sectional survey was conducted among 214 undergraduate nursing students from RAKMHSU. All nursing students who gave informed consent participated in the study. Generalized Self-Efficacy scale developed by Schwarzer, R., & Jerusalem, M. (1995)   was used for assessing self-efficacy among nursing students. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 25 version. Results: Majority of the participants were females (82.7%), unmarried (91.6%) and between age group of 18-22 years. High level of self-efficacy was observed among 56% students followed by moderate in 35.51% and low among 8.41%. One way ANOVA did not reveal significant association among nursing students as per their level of education. However, significant difference in self-efficacy score was observed between first and fourth year nursing students. No significant association between level of self-efficacy and age, gender, and birth order was observed. These results indicates that high level of self-efficacy is possessed by substantial number of students (56%) ,however still there is need to pay attention to the students having moderate to low level of self-efficacy. 

Conclusion: Assessment of general self-efficacy among nursing students reflects effectiveness of nursing curricula in building future nursing force. Hence it should be made as an integral part of summative evaluation. Perceived self-efficiency may be influenced by the direct exposure to vicarious experience or verbal persuasion. Individuals with high levels of self-efficacy demonstrate the defining attributes of confidence, perceived capability, and perseverance.